Periodontal pocket is a term used in dental medicine to refer to the presence of a depth of an abnormal size of the gingival sulcus. The depth occurs near the contact point between the tooth and gingival tissue. People with periodontitis are also likely to experience these pockets although it is not obvious. Healing periodontal pocket can be a stressful process and there might never be full recovery.
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.
Periodontal pockets are treated depending on how severe they are. During their initial stages, the bone is usually still intact, but gum tissue is damaged. Gaps at stage measure 4-5 millimeters in depth. Formed calculus can be removed through a process called scaling and root planning. Pain may be felt during this process and some dentists dumb gums to avoid it.
Pain should not be experienced after the process. Lack of proper oral hygiene leads to formation of plaque again. Daily brushing and flossing is recommended for better and faster results. Gums shrink back to the teeth and health is restored within a couple of month.
In few cases, gums fail to shrink back into the correct position because they are swollen. That may require the swollen gums to be trimmed back by a dentist. This process is done using a tool called a gingivectomy. Failure to trim the swollen gums creates space for plaque to start accumulating again and soon or later the pockets recur.
Damaged bone may have irregular surfaces that need to be smoothened so that gum tissue reattaches easily to healthy bone. In moderate cases, pockets measure between 5-7 millimeters and scaling and root planning is ineffective. Therefore, flap surgery is used.
Flap surgery creates space and an opening through which access can be gained to the depth for cleaning the deposit. Once the surgery is done, gum tissue never reconnects to the tooth easily. This leaves a gap that makes the only way to prevent a repetition of the problem making regular visits to a hygienist to keep cleaning the plaque out. Recovery in cases where the pockets are in an advanced stage is hard and usually the tooth may have to be removed.
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.
Periodontal pockets are treated depending on how severe they are. During their initial stages, the bone is usually still intact, but gum tissue is damaged. Gaps at stage measure 4-5 millimeters in depth. Formed calculus can be removed through a process called scaling and root planning. Pain may be felt during this process and some dentists dumb gums to avoid it.
Pain should not be experienced after the process. Lack of proper oral hygiene leads to formation of plaque again. Daily brushing and flossing is recommended for better and faster results. Gums shrink back to the teeth and health is restored within a couple of month.
In few cases, gums fail to shrink back into the correct position because they are swollen. That may require the swollen gums to be trimmed back by a dentist. This process is done using a tool called a gingivectomy. Failure to trim the swollen gums creates space for plaque to start accumulating again and soon or later the pockets recur.
Damaged bone may have irregular surfaces that need to be smoothened so that gum tissue reattaches easily to healthy bone. In moderate cases, pockets measure between 5-7 millimeters and scaling and root planning is ineffective. Therefore, flap surgery is used.
Flap surgery creates space and an opening through which access can be gained to the depth for cleaning the deposit. Once the surgery is done, gum tissue never reconnects to the tooth easily. This leaves a gap that makes the only way to prevent a repetition of the problem making regular visits to a hygienist to keep cleaning the plaque out. Recovery in cases where the pockets are in an advanced stage is hard and usually the tooth may have to be removed.
