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What Is Involved In Healing Periodontal Pocket

By Douglas Hamilton


Complete and sufficient treatment of periodontal pockets and disease requires commitment from the patient. There are two primary goals involved in the treatment process. Reducing and/or removing the formed bacterial colonies underneath gums is the first goal of treatment. The other primary goal is reducing vulnerability of the patient by eradicating risk factors such as smoking. Both primary goals are achieved from home if the pockets are still in their infancy stages. However, professional intervention is needed in healing periodontal pocket if the disease is already advanced.

When the disease is still within its initial stages, it affects the gums a lot although the bones remain without being altered in any way. The depth of the pockets is only slight, going to five millimeters. Because the disease is not very severe at this stage, the pockets may be treated easily through a process called scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing remove plaque and calculus that have formed over time.

Sometimes pockets may be noticed to be tender when the surgeon is doing scaling and root planing. In such a case, the gums need to be numbed to avoid pain. After the process, there should be no pain felt. To avoid future reoccurrences, it is upon the patient to do thorough brushing and flossing every day so that plaque does not build up again. The gums usually snug back up on the root as they heal.

In cases where pockets are moderate in depth or advanced, there is usually actual loss of bone. Pockets may be a bit deeper, reaching 7 millimeters in depth. Scaling and planing becomes insufficient for total removal of calculus. This is because the bottom of the pockets cannot be accessed with ease. The best method used here is referred to as flap surgery. With this method, the periodontist has enough access to do thorough cleaning.

In flap surgery, an incision is made between the tooth and gum. The surgeon then peels the gum back from the neck of the tooth involved after making the incision. The peeling gives sufficient access for cleaning deep-seated calculus and debriding the tooth. After finishing the surgery, all altered tissue is returned to initial position. As such, cosmetic change is minimized.

After flap surgery has been performed, the gums are usually unable to reconnect to the teem where the incision was made. That is one major drawback of the surgery. The problem can be prevented from reoccurring by frequent hygienist cleanings. During surgery, it is also possible to have the gums repositioned to eliminate pockets.

Surgery is always applicable in all cases and sometimes pockets may have reached a very advanced stage where they are very deep. That makes complete elimination of such pockets impossible. Although such pockets cannot be eliminated completely, they can be minimized and their chances of progressing can be minimized through correct measures.

Complete treatment or cure of periodontal disease and pockets is not possible because they are considered to be chronic diseases. Even after treatment, one continues to be vulnerable to reinfection because infection and plaque causes continue to exist. Being vigilant about dental hygiene is the only best solution available.




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