The Key to Saving Your Teeth and Gums

Usually, periodontal disease leads to the formation of pockets between the teeth and gums. These pockets accumulate plaque and require treatment. Moreover, severe cases may need pocket reduction surgery.

Your care at Dos Caminos Dental is always personalized. We begin with the gentlest, non-surgical periodontal treatments, ensuring minimal invasiveness. For more severe issues, however, surgical solutions may sometimes be the best approach.

Non-Surgical Treatment

When it comes to pocket depth reduction without surgery, there are several non-invasive periodontal pocket treatments that help get your gums back on track.

  • Scaling and Root Planing: Think of this as a deep cleaning for your teeth. Your dentist or hygienist will remove all the plaque and tartar that’s built up below your gumline. Additionally, this procedure smooths out the roots of your teeth to help your gums reattach.
  • Antibiotics: Sometimes, even after cleaning, there might be bacteria hanging around. So your dentist may suggest antibiotics either as a topical gel directly applied to the pockets or as oral medications.
  • Laser Therapy: If you’re looking for a modern solution, laser treatment is a great option. The laser helps to clean out the pockets, eliminate bacteria, and even reduce inflammation—all without the need for invasive surgery.

Surgical Treatment

When non-surgical periodontal pocket treatments aren’t enough to address pockets, surgical options may be required. These treatments help to repair and restore gum health when the pockets have become too deep or severe.

  • Flap Surgery (Pocket Reduction Surgery): This procedure involves lifting back the gums to clean out the plaque and tartar from deep within the pockets. After cleaning, the gums are sutured back into place.
  • Gum Grafting: If your gums have receded significantly due to periodontal disease, a gum graft may be necessary. This involves taking tissue from another part of your mouth (or using a donor tissue) and grafting it onto the affected areas to restore the gumline.
  • Bone Grafting: A bone graft may be needed where the bone around the teeth has been lost. Your dentist or periodontist will use natural or synthetic bone material to rebuild the bone structure.
  • Guided Tissue Regeneration: This procedure is used when the bone and tissue supporting your teeth are damaged. A special membrane is placed between the gum tissue and bone to help the tissue regenerate and allow the bone to heal.
  • Soft Tissue Grafts: When the gums have receded and exposed the tooth roots, a soft tissue graft may be done to rebuild the gum tissue. This can help improve both the appearance of your smile and the health of your gums.

Want to know more about periodontal pocket treatment? Contact Dos Caminos Dental in Camarillo, CA, or come see us in person!