Dental (periodontal) pockets are areas beneath the
gums that often harbor bacterial colonies. This
can lead to many serious dental problems. The gums
can become tender and inflamed. They may bleed easily
upon brushing or flossing and may have moderate
to extreme root sensitivity. Left untreated these
bacterial colonies can cause pus formation, bone
deterioration and ultimately tooth loss. Good oral
hygiene is the most effective way to prevent
the development of infected periodontal pockets,
which are the markers of periodontal
disease.
Our dental team at Century City Periodontics in
Los Angeles is committed to educating our patient's
in all aspects of preventative maintenance. But
after deep pockets have developed and other avenues
explored often the best approach is surgical intervention
in the form of pocket reduction surgery. This can
prevent further advancement of the disease and it
may also repair much of the damage already done.
Following pocket reduction surgery frequent full
mouth cleanings and a vigilant personal brushing
and flossing routine can keep further problems in
check.
| The Procedure |
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Pocket reduction surgery is generally performed
by the periodontist under a local anesthetic. Some
patients may prefer to have additional sedation
which can be offered. The surgery involves gently
pulling back the gum tissue and removing all the
bacteria, plaque and
tartar found there. It is often necessary to
smooth any rough areas of the bone to encourage
the proper reattachment of the gum tissue.
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| Normal looking gingival (gums). |
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Normal bone levels. |
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| Bone loss and increased pocket depths. |
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Pocket depth evaluation shows unmanageable results. |
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| Bone levels recorder. Incisions to separate gingival from the teeth. |
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Periosteal elevator used to move the gingival away from the teeth and bone. |
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| The flap is retracted and the teeth are cleaned and scaled. |
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The flap (gum tissue) is placed back against the teeth and bone but at a lower level than before. The flap is sutured into place. |
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| Protective packing is placed over the area to help with healing (coepack). |
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The gums heal in the new position. |
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| Pocket evaluation
reveals pocket reduction. Bone levels recorded. |
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Once the bacteria are removed and the bone prepared,
the gum tissue is secured around the teeth with
tiny stitches. These stitches may be self dissolving
or they may need to be removed depending on the
area involved. Follow-up appointments are usually
scheduled at one and three week intervals after
the surgery. The professional staff at Century City
Periodontics is always available to assist and inform
at every stage of treatment.
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