When with routine scaling and root planing deep periodontal pockets cannot be cleaned your periodontist may recommend pocket reduction procedures. During this procedure, your periodontist folds back the gum tissue and removes the disease-causing plaque and tartar. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothened. This allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone. The gum tissue is then secured at its new position with sutures.

Reducing pocket depth and eliminating existing bacteria are important to prevent damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease and to help you maintain a healthy smile. Eliminating bacteria alone may not be sufficient to prevent disease recurrence. Deeper pockets are more difficult for you and your dental care professional to clean, so it's important to reduce them. Reduced pockets and a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth – and decrease the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.

Bone Graft and Guided tissue Regeneration
Guided Tissue Regeneration - (GTR) is a procedure that enables bone and tissue to regrow around an endangered tooth or if the tooth is lost, to increase the amount of bone for implant placement. Prior to GTR therapy, your dental professional will recommend an appropriate oral hygiene program.

If there is a defect in the bone, often times a bone graft can be placed to stimulate new bone formation. A combination of natural or synthetic bone can be used for regeneration. Sometimes specialized membranes may be used during this procedure to prevent the gum tissue from creeping in between the tooth and the bone. This helps allow a regeneration of new bone and periodontal ligament.