When there is a depth of an abnormal size between teeth and gum, the dental term used to refer to that condition is periodontal pocket. The depth occurs at the point where gingival tissue makes contact with the tooth. Although not obvious, periodontitis patients are most likely to have pockets too. Healing periodontal pocket is an involving task and success is only dependent on much damage has been done already.
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.
Failure to manage pockets while still at the initial stage allows them to get deeper because they form around teeth. Bone and gum tissue are severely damaged by the action of bacteria. Pain is likely to be felt when as the situation gets worse. Eventually, the only solution left would be to extract teeth. All teeth may have to be extracted in very severe cases that have been going on for years.
The severity of the problem dictates what treatment is adopted for periodontal pockets. Infection is usually confined to the gum tissues, while bones remain intact during initial stages of the disease. At that stage pockets have a depth of 4 to 5 millimeters. The best method used is usually scaling and root planning to eliminate formed calculus. Numbing of gums is done if pockets are tender to reduce or eliminate pain as the process is done.
Once this process is finished, one should not feel any pain. Plaque may start forming immediately if proper oral care is not done. It is recommended to brush and floss on a daily basis to keep plaque out. It may take some time, but the gums will move closer to the teeth at the root and health will be restored.
Swollen gums cannot shrink back to their original position after scaling and planning. As such, they must be trimmed to the root of the tooth. A gingivectony refers to the medical instrument used in this procedure. Untrimmed gums form spaces, which eventually get filled up with bacteria and tartar causing a recurrence of the condition.
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 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.
Failure to manage pockets while still at the initial stage allows them to get deeper because they form around teeth. Bone and gum tissue are severely damaged by the action of bacteria. Pain is likely to be felt when as the situation gets worse. Eventually, the only solution left would be to extract teeth. All teeth may have to be extracted in very severe cases that have been going on for years.
The severity of the problem dictates what treatment is adopted for periodontal pockets. Infection is usually confined to the gum tissues, while bones remain intact during initial stages of the disease. At that stage pockets have a depth of 4 to 5 millimeters. The best method used is usually scaling and root planning to eliminate formed calculus. Numbing of gums is done if pockets are tender to reduce or eliminate pain as the process is done.
Once this process is finished, one should not feel any pain. Plaque may start forming immediately if proper oral care is not done. It is recommended to brush and floss on a daily basis to keep plaque out. It may take some time, but the gums will move closer to the teeth at the root and health will be restored.
Swollen gums cannot shrink back to their original position after scaling and planning. As such, they must be trimmed to the root of the tooth. A gingivectony refers to the medical instrument used in this procedure. Untrimmed gums form spaces, which eventually get filled up with bacteria and tartar causing a recurrence of the condition.
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 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.
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