How Healing Periodontal Pocket Can Be Achieved

By Mattie Knight


It is common for over-sized depths to be created between teeth and gums, and when that occurs, the condition is referred to as periodontal pocket in dentistry. The position of occurrence of the depth is usually where gingival tissue and tooth come into contact. Periodontitis patients are at a higher risk of developing pockets, but that is not automatic. Healing periodontal pocket involves several procedures depending on one major factor, that is, severity. The severe the situation, the more complicated the healing process.

The causes of pockets in the mouth are many and diverse. One cause, which is also very common is break down in gum tissues causing a separation from teeth. Once the separation has occurred, space is created which is then filled with bacteria from the mouth. Bacteria multiply quickly and do more damage that leads to the space widening a lot over time. Healing process usually involves removing the bacteria physically and filling the space that is left behind.

The formation of pockets usually takes place around the teeth and if left unattended to, the problem only gets worse. The bacteria destroy the bone and tissue around the spaces so severely over time. When the loss of bone and tissue has occurred too much, there is pain which differs in the amount of degree. Teeth may eventually need to be removed because of this condition. Failure to get the problem solved may lead to loss of all teeth in the mouth eventually.

Treatment for periodontal pockets depends on how worse the situation is. During early stages, usually the gum alone is infected by bacteria, but the bone is intact. Such pockets measure between 4 to 5 millimeters in depth. Scaling and root planning can be used to eliminate any calculus that may be formed. In cases where the pockets are tender, the gums may need to be numbed to avoid pain during the process.

Pain should stop immediately the process is complete. Plaque reforms if oral hygiene is not maintained properly. Better results will be achieved if flossing and brushing are done daily. Health is restored in a matter of months when gums shrink back to cover the gap.

If gums are swollen, they may fail to shrink back into the original position. A dentist has to trim such gums back. A gingivectony is the instrument used for trimming gums backward. If not trimmed, the gums form spaces with teeth and recurrence of pockets is eminent.

Smoothening has to be done to damaged bone to allow for easy reattachment of gum tissue to healthy bone. In moderate stages of the problem, the size of the pockets is usually between 5-7 millimeters. It is inefficient to use scaling and root planning in such cases. That leaves flap surgery the only option.

Flap surgery opens the tooth to allow easy access to space for cleaning the bacteria and other substances deposited. After the surgery, it is hard to the gum tissue to reconnect to the tooth. If that happens, the patient has to rely on regular visits to a hygienist to control reoccurrence of the problem. More advanced stages of pockets makes recovery and chances of keeping the tooth much harder.




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