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, also known as gingivectomy , osseous surgery and flap surgery, is a common term for a variety of several different surgeries directed at gaining access to the root of the teeth to remove bacteria and tartar (calculus).
Pocket reduction surgery, also known as gingivectomy, osseous surgery and flap surgery, is a common term for a variety of several different surgeries directed at gaining access to the root of the teeth to remove bacteria and tartar (calculus). Our mouths contain hundreds of different bacteria at any given time. The bacteria found in plaque, the clear sticky substance on your teeth, produce acids that lead to the demineralization of the tooth surface, and ultimately are the source for periodontal disease.
Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will explain the benefits to you of pocket reduction surgery. We offer an extensive range of important periodontal and dental implant services to assist all patients. Our conscientious team works together on the goal of providing you with quality service for your overall oral health. We will address your dental procedures in a quiet and relaxing environment, and we will approach your dental care as an important partner on your health care team. If you have questions about the benefits of pocket reduction, call our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273 to schedule your appointment today.
Over half of American adults over the age of 30 struggle with some form of periodontal disease. The primary cause of gum disease is from the plaque that forms every day on your teeth. Failure to care for your teeth and gums can cause your gums to start receding and pulling away from the teeth. When this happens, there are small periodontal pockets that need to be measured. As the gum disease worsens, these pockets become infected and will stop supporting the teeth properly.
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 are board certified periodontist, which means 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 removes this plaque and keeps 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 buildup 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 the 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 advances it 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 build-up 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. Deep cleaning, or scaling 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 which is effective at eliminating bacteria, reducing inflammation, and saving your teeth. The goals of pocket reduction surgery are:
- Reducing bacterial spread – Oral bacteria has 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 it in a way that minimizes pain and recovery time. They are also happy to take up 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
When you schedule a pocket reduction with our thoughtful staff at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, you will be impressed with the level of professionalism and that we are proud of the advanced dental technology at our disposal in our clinic. We all are very thorough because we understand how different and unique each of us really are. We are conscientious in developing your personalized treatments, to ensure success that works for your desires and budget. The entire team focuses on restoring an personal asset, your healthy smile, so every procedure we perform for you is with your best interests and oral health in mind.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, our clinic has a calming and relaxing atmosphere, and we want you to be confident with our abilities and services. Scheduling an appointment for your pocket reduction surgery is a beneficial important step towards being proactive in your oral health and regaining your healthy smile. To schedule an appointment, call our Indianapolis office, 8801 North Meridian St., Suite 103, Indianapolis, at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office, 9885 E. 116th St, Suite 300, Fishers, at 317-842-2273.