At any given time, there are dozens of different types of bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria produce acids which inflame and infect your gums, leading to periodontal disease, gum recession and eventually, tooth loss. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, Dr. Jon Glenn may recommend pocket reduction surgery to remove bacteria and calculus from the roots of your teeth. Also known as gingivectomy or flap surgery, this periodontal procedure helps eliminate the disease-causing bacteria in your mouth and reduce inflammation to save your teeth and gums.
When you receive pocket surgery, our dentist will begin by administering a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort. After you are numb, we will gently pull back your gums from your teeth. The bacteria and calculus will be removed using scaling and root planing, and an antimicrobial agent will be administered to kill any remaining bacteria and encourage healing. Finally, our dentist will suture your gums back into place to prevent them from shifting while you heal.
This procedure will provide you with several benefits, including:
- Reducing bacterial spread
- Slowing or halting the advance of gum disease
- Halting bone loss
- Aid in facilitating better home care
Please note that you may experience an increase in gum and tooth sensitivity following your pocket surgery procedure. You will likely see an improvement in the health of your teeth and gums within a few weeks, and your periodontal pockets should be reduced.
If you have any questions about pocket surgery in Newport Beach, California, and to schedule a consultation with our experienced dentist, please contact our office at 949-644-0071.