A pocket depth reduction procedure is recommended when gum pockets are too deep to clean with daily at-home oral hygiene and a professional care routine. Deep pockets contain disease-causing bacteria.
During this procedure, the gum tissue is folded back and disease-causing bacteria are removed before securing the gum tissue into place. Irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. This allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone.
Deep pockets are more difficult for you and your dentist or hygienist to clean, so it is important to reduce them. Smaller gum pockets and a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional cleanings increase your chances of keeping your teeth.