Pocket Reduction Surgery

Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone are destroyed, forming “pockets” around the teeth. These pockets become deeper over time, and allow a space for bacteria to thrive and multiply. Bacteria can accumulate and advance under the gum tissue causing further bone and tissue loss.

Pocket reduction surgery is performed because the pockets around the teeth are too deep to clean with daily brushing and flossing. They are also too deep to control with routine professional care. Reducing pocket depths and eliminating existing bacteria are important to prevent damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease.

​​​​​​​Reduced pockets and a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional continuing care increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth for a lifetime.