“Can you fix gum pockets?”
I am a 40 year old female. I want to know if you can fix gum pockets?
11 Answers
You can fix them. You can often reduce the pocket depths with a deep cleaning. If the pockets are severe, then you may have to have gum surgery to reduce and/or eliminate pockets all together. there are also trays that you wear with medicated products that will also help in reducing those pockets.
You can reduce the size of the pockets by periodontal scaling and periodontal maintenance.
Pockets 5mm or more can be treated with scaling and root planing. If pockets are 7mm or more, surgery may be needed, or extraction. The aim is to make pockets 4 mm or less to enable efficient daily plaque removal to help control gum disease.
Gum pockets can be fixed. Visit your American Dental Association dentist for an exam and consultation.
Russell A. Sassack, D.D.S.
Russell A. Sassack, D.D.S.
Yes. Usually with "derp" scaling if the pickets are 4mm or less. Otherwise flap surgery is required.
Yes. As you may know, teeth have a sulcus around them, a little ditch in the gum. At the bottom of the ditch, the gingiva (gum) attaches to the tooth. This is where the bacteria create their little environment, a gel-like substance made of poly mucosaccharides. Left undisturbed, damaging bacteria become more prevalent and release toxins, which cause your body to initiate an immune response and tissue breakdown. That sulcus has now become a pocket. Early on in the process while the pocket is still less than 5mm deep, normal flossing and brushing, and sometimes with the aid of proxy brushes, individuals can care for and treat the pockets themselves. Beyond 5mm, professional help from a dentist or hygienist is needed, either by debridement or scale and root plane (both specific clinical procedure terms). In all cases, physical debridement is the first step. Sometimes chemical adjuncts are also employed, such as antibiotics or other anti microbial substances.
Sometimes. You would have to have an exam by your periodontist to see if it is possible for it to heal. If the tooth is fractured, it won't heal. If it is due to infected root canal, then it often can heal with root canal therapy by your endodontist.
Yes. Gum pockets can be fixed, but you need to see a gum specialist, a.k.a. a periodontist.
Yes. Gum pockets can be fixed, but make sure you get an appointment with a periodontist.
It depends on a lot of factors, including the depth of your pockets, the overall health of your mouth and teeth, and your overall general health. You should make an appointment with a periodontist, which is a gum specialist, and have them do a complete clinical exam. Then they will be able to give you a more precise prognosis.
"Pocketing" of the gum occurs when the gingiva loses attachment to the tooth due to inflammation or infection from bacteria. In some cases, bone loss may accompany the gum attachment loss. This is termed "periodontal disease." With proper home care and deep cleanings by a dental office, one can typically reduce pocketing that has occurred. Some severe cases however my require surgery or be too far compromised to achieve adequate healing. A consultation with a dentist or specialist called a periodontist is recommended for those with gum pocketing to accurately determine prognosis and what treatments may be available for their specific case.
