Pocket Reduction
Indianapolis & Fishers, IN
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
Pocket reduction surgery is a common term for a variety of different surgeries directed at gaining access to the root of the teeth to remove bacteria and tartar
When gum disease progresses, the spaces between your teeth and gums can become deeper, making them harder to keep clean. These spaces, called periodontal pockets, can collect plaque and tartar in areas that brushing and flossing can't reach. If the pockets remain too deep after nonsurgical treatment, pocket reduction surgery may be recommended to help get the disease under control.
There are a few different ways to perform pocket reduction surgery. One approach, called flap surgery, involves gently lifting the gum tissue to gain better access to the roots of your teeth. This allows the periodontist to remove bacteria and tartar from areas that would otherwise be difficult to clean. Depending on the condition of your gums and the bone beneath them, treatment may also involve reshaping uneven bone through osseous surgery or removing excess gum tissue with a gingivectomy. These procedures aren't interchangeable, and the approach used will depend on your particular needs.
Plaque is constantly forming on your teeth, even if you brush regularly. When it isn't removed, the bacteria it contains can irritate your gums and cause inflammation. Over time, untreated periodontitis can damage the tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place. As this damage progresses, periodontal pockets may become deeper, allowing more plaque and tartar to collect. Reducing the depth of these pockets can make it easier to clean around your teeth and help prevent further problems.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we'll examine your gums, measure any periodontal pockets, and discuss whether surgery is necessary or if another treatment would be more appropriate. If you have questions about pocket reduction surgery or would like to schedule a consultation, call our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273.
Award Winning Periodontics
in Indianapolis and Fishers
Dedication to providing the best periodontal care to Indianapolis and Fishers isn't just something Drs. Edwards and Christman talk about. They have gone above and beyond what most periodontists do to master his field of work. They have sought out further education to bring the most promising new treatments to their patients.
What Exactly is Gum Disease?
Periodontal, or gum, disease is a quiet and painless serious disease that affects many of the tissues in your mouth. It is usually caused by a buildup of plaque on the surfaces of the teeth. Most of the time, your consistent daily brushing and flossing remove this plaque and keep your teeth, gums, and smile healthy. Professional cleaning at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics helps you remain proactive in your efforts to control the plaque buildup. In cases of poor hygiene or other dental issues, excess plaque will build up on your teeth and gums. The plaque buildup will harden and cause an infection that affects both your teeth and bone tissues.
If the gum disease is left untreated, it will cause receding gums and tooth loss. In severe cases, it can even cause other major health issues like diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and other bodily diseases.
What is a Periodontal Pocket?
On average, a normal periodontal pocket will have a depth of 2-3 millimeters. The teeth need to be supported by your gums. As the soft tissue becomes infected, it begins pulling away from the teeth. These periodontal pockets will continue to provide an even larger space for the damaging bacteria to continue to thrive. As the bacteria advance, they will then start infecting the bone tissue.
When your periodontal pocket reaches a depth of 5 millimeters, Implant Dentistry and Periodontics is concerned. These larger pockets will have a large buildup of bacteria that must be removed by us. Failure to have the pockets cleaned can lead to tooth extractions. Bone loss is a huge concern, as it will lead to unnecessary and unwanted dental procedures.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
Contact Our Team Today
The Pocket Reduction Surgery Procedure
Before performing any procedure, Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will perform thorough visual and X-ray examinations to assess the condition of your teeth, gums, and underlying bone. We will administer a local anesthetic to numb the soft tissue to be treated.
The usual type of pocket reduction surgery involves gently separating the gumline back from the teeth. Cleaning will be required to remove the tartar from the surface of the tooth root. If the root is not completely smooth, we will also perform a root planing procedure to ensure that when the gums do heal, they will not reattach to rough or uneven surfaces.
The final part of the treatment is often the administration of an antimicrobial liquid to eliminate any remaining bacteria and promote healing. The gum is then sutured closed.
Implant Dentistry and Periodontics can also use a soft tissue Laser for pocket reduction, either alone or in combination with conventional flap surgery. When we use a laser, no sutures are necessary, and there is little bleeding.
Though your gums and teeth may be slightly more sensitive following the procedure, there will be an immediate reduction in pocket depth and a significant improvement in the condition of your teeth and gums.
The Benefits of Having Pocket Reduction Surgery
Pocket reduction surgery is a common periodontal procedure that is effective at eliminating bacteria, reducing inflammation, and saving your teeth. The goals of pocket reduction surgery are:
- Reducing bacterial spread – Oral bacteria have been connected directly to many serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The oral bacteria can travel to various parts of your body through the bloodstream and begin to colonize. It is important to decrease the harmful bacteria in the mouth to reduce the risk of any secondary infection.
- Halting bone loss – The chronic inflammatory response because of oral bacteria leads your body to destroy bone tissue. As your jawbone becomes affected by the gum disease, your teeth will lose their anchoring stability. When your teeth become too loose, they will require extraction.
- Facilitate home care – As the pockets become deeper, they become even harder to clean at home. Your toothbrush and dental floss cannot reach to the bottom of these pockets, now increasing the risk of further periodontal infections.
- Enhancing the smile – Your mouth that is affected by periodontal disease is just not attractive. Your smile may be marred by brown gums, rotting teeth, and ridge indentations. Pocket reduction stops the advancement of gum disease and improves the aesthetics of your smile.
State of the Art Technology
For Advanced Periodontics
Offering the best periodontal care in the world requires the most advanced technology in the world. Drs. Edwards and Christman are always in search of new ways to provide patients with better results and do so in a way that minimizes pain and recovery time. They are also happy to adopt technologies that make it easier to communicate with patients and allow us to do our jobs in more environmentally friendly ways.
Earning your Trust with High Quality Periodontal Care
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we know that every patient comes to us with different concerns. Before recommending treatment, we want to hear what's bothering you, what you'd like to accomplish, and what your budget is. From there, we'll go over your options and help you decide what makes the most sense for your situation. Our office also uses modern dental technology to assist with planning and treatment.
We know that dental appointments aren't exactly something most people look forward to. That's why we make a point of explaining what to expect, giving you time to ask questions, and doing what we can to keep you comfortable during your visit. If you'd like to schedule an appointment, you can reach our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600, located at 8801 North Meridian St., Suite 103, or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273, located at 9885 E. 116th St., Suite 300.