Pocket Reduction Procedure
In case gum disease is allowed to develop for an extended period of time without instituting any intervention the bacteria will eventually digest the gums and begin to leave small pockets. Most dental patients suffering gum disease don’t realize they suffer this condition in the first place. The pockets left are at first too tiny for the naked eye to see. Eventually the pockets grow to become too large therefore allowing food particles to get stuck inside. The stuck food rots causing a bad stench, bacterial infection, and tooth decay. These circumstances catalyze gum disease eventually leading to decay of the teeth and eventual falling out of teeth.
This can be prevented easily by vigilantly checking for indicators of gum disease. In case you are too late in identifying the indicators, you may as well get remedial treatment through a pocket reduction surgical procedure.
Whenever a dentist suggests a pocket reduction procedure they often will take you through an x-ray of the jawline and mouth in order to identify the extent of damage. Some patients prefer to undergo local anesthesia while some prefer general. The surgical procedure is done without requiring patient admission. Although the gum might become sensitive after undertaking the surgical procedure, the patient will notice a big difference soon enough.
What is a pocket reduction procedure?
This is a term used for several distinct surgical procedures done with an objective of accessing the tooth root so as to eliminate tartar and bacteria. The mouth of any human being has different variations of bacteria present at any time. Bacteria contained in plaque are responsible for producing acids which cause the tooth surface to demineralize. These acids will eventually contribute to the contraction of periodontal disease.
Periodontal infections are known to cause chronic inflammatory responses inside the body. This inflammatory response literally obliterates gum tissues and bones upon invading the sub gingival region. Gum pockets will be formed and they become deeper between teeth and gums through the process of destruction of tissue. Periodontal disease progressively affects the mouth, and, if untreated, it could result in massive colonization of bacteria in the gum pockets hence leading to the falling out of teeth. A surgical procedure for pocket reduction is aimed at alleviating the destructive cycle and reducing the deepening of the pockets harboring bacteria.
Why undertake a pocket reduction surgical procedure?
This procedure has a proven record of effectively eliminating bacteria, alleviating inflammation, and protecting the teeth. The objective of this procedure is:
Preventing bone loss: The response causing chronic inflammation due to oral bacteria causes the body to eat up bone tissue. Through the process of bone infection from periodontal disease, teeth anchors get lost. Continued loosening of the teeth may necessitate tooth extraction.
Minimize the spread of bacteria: Oral bacteria are often associated with conditions like stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. Such bacteria have the ability to travel to different body parts through the blood and extend their colonization to other organs. It is therefore important to minimize bacteria so as to alleviate the chances of getting secondary infections.
Enable home care: Through the process of deepening gum pockets, it becomes more intricate for patients to clean their own teeth. Dental floss and toothbrushes may be unable to get to the deep pockets hence increasing the chances of contracting more infections.
Smile enhancement: Periodontal disease affects the oral cavity therefore making the mouth unattractive. Brown gums, ridge indentation, and rotting teeth are characteristic of gum pockets. The pocket reduction procedure derails further gum disease growth and enhances the aesthetic value of the mouth and smile.
