Pocket Reduction Surgery

The term "pocket reduction surgery" (also known as "gingivectomy," "osseous surgery," and "flap surgery") refers to a variety of procedures designed to get access to the tooth roots and remove tartar (calculus) and bacteria.

Numerous distinct bacterial species can be found in the human mouth at any given time. Plaque is a sticky substance that forms on teeth due to bacteria that create acids that cause demineralization of the tooth surface and eventually periodontal disease. Once they enter the subgingival area (below the gum line), periodontal infections trigger a chronic inflammatory response in the body that essentially destroys bone and gum tissues. As more tissue is removed from the area around the teeth and gums, gum pockets develop and get deeper.

Periodontal disease is a degenerative disorder that, if ignored, results in significant bacterial colonization in the gum pockets and may ultimately result in tooth loss. Surgery to lower the depth of the bacteria-harboring pockets is an attempt to break this harmful cycle.The surgery's motivations for pocket reduction. A popular periodontal surgery called pocket reduction surgery has been shown to be successful in removing bacteria, lowering swelling, and saving teeth. 

Surgery for pocket reduction aims to:

Preventing the spread of germs:

A number of other dangerous illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, have been linked to oral bacteria. The circulation can carry oral bacteria to different regions of the body, where they can colonize. To lower the risk of secondary infection, it is crucial to minimize oral bacterial growth.

Stopping bone loss: 

The body erodes bone tissue as a result of a prolonged inflammatory reaction brought on by oral bacteria. Periodontal disease weakens the jawbone, which causes the teeth to lose their stable foundation. The teeth may need to be extracted if they become too loose.

Facilitate home care:

As the gum pockets deepen, it gets more and more difficult for the patient to clean them. The inability of the toothbrush and dental floss to clean the bottom of the pockets increases the chance of developing more periodontal diseases.

Enhancing the smile: 

A mouth that has periodontal disease is not aesthetically pleasing. In reality, discolored gums, decayed teeth, and ridge indentations can all ruin smiles. Surgery for pocket reduction slows the spread of gum disease and enhances the appearance of the smile.

 

What happens during a pocket reduction procedure?

Your dentist will do extensive visual and x-ray examinations to determine the state of the teeth, gums, and supporting bone before making treatment recommendations or carrying out any procedure. Under local anesthetic, pocket reduction surgery may be carried out.

Bacteria and calculus (tartar), which are attached to the teeth by the gums, will be removed. In most cases, scaling and root planing will be necessary to completely remove the ossification (tartar) from the tooth root's surface. If the root is not entirely smooth, a planing operation will be done to make sure that the gums won't reattach to rough or uneven surfaces when they eventually heal. Typically, an antimicrobial liquid is used as the last step of surgery to get rid of any last-minute bacteria and speed up healing. After that, the gum is stitched up using small stitches that need to stay in place for 5–10 days. 

Some dentists perform surgeries using a laser. Without the use of sutures, this procedure is known as a "Laser Assisted Reattachment Procedure," and it may take numerous visits spaced one week apart, depending on the depth of the periodontal pocket surrounding the teeth or the stage of the disease. The laser speeds up healing by reducing bacteria in the pockets.