What is the Normal Depth of Periodontal Pockets? When a tooth has periodontal disease, this tissue becomes detached past 3mm deep. Under 3mm deep a pocket is considered healthy, while 4mm or deeper it is considered unhealthy.
As gum disease progresses, this area starts to widen, creating a larger pocket where your toothbrush can't reach and bacteria can flourish. Once a pocket measures 4 to 5 mm deep, gum disease has started to develop. As the pocket size progresses between 7 and 12 mm, the condition becomes more difficult to treat.
A snug fit between tooth and gum (no more than 3 mm) makes it easier to remove plaque bacteria from beneath the gum line, where it can affect the attachment of gum tissue to the tooth. Any space over 3 mm deep may signify gum disease, particularly if gums bleed.
According to the Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs (CPITN) [39] for PD the following definition for periodontitis was used: PD 0-3 mm as no/mild periodontitis, at least one pocket ≥4 mm and <6 mm as moderate and with at least one pocket ≥6 mm as severe periodontitis.
In advanced cases, there has been extensive bone loss, and pocket depth may be 8mm and more. In these cases complete removal of the pocket is often not possible, due to limitations on how far the gum can be moved.
With gum disease, you won't keep your teeth for long. In fact, unlike tooth decay which impacts your smile one tooth at a time, periodontitis can cause you to lose multiple, if not all, teeth at once. Gum disease starts small as a mild form called gingivitis.
It was concluded that substantial reduction in pocket depth occurs within 3 weeks after a single episode of root planing owing to initial gingival recession and secondary gain in clinical attachment.
Per CDC/AAP, severe periodontitis is defined as having 2 or more interproximal sites with clinical attachment loss (CAL) 6 mm or greater (not on the same tooth) and 1 or more interproximal sites with periodontal probing depth (PPD) 5 mm or greater.
In most cases, the damage will not be completely reversible, but if you follow the treatment and prevention plan laid out by your dentist, you should be able to see significant improvement. Most people are able to reclaim a 4mm to 5mm pocket depth with proper treatment and ongoing periodontal maintenance.
Only the first stage of gum disease, known as “gingivitis” can be reversed. After it progresses into the second stage (periodontitis), it's no longer possible to completely eliminate it.
This depth is the difference in height between the level of your gumline and the point at which the gum actually attaches to your tooth. 2-3 mm is considered healthy and physiologic and anything over 5 mm usually indicates that the bone that supports your tooth has begun to be destroyed by the disease.
It depends on how severe the receding gums are, as if they are only minimally receded, then the gums will reattach themselves to the teeth. While any gum loss experienced due to gum disease will not grow back, the majority of patients can expect their gums to reattach after undergoing a deep cleaning.
The goal of deep cleaning is to reduce the gum pocket depth and restore the tissue to optimal health, which in turn makes oral hygiene much easier to maintain.
This procedure involves a standard cleaning to remove plaque and tartar. Then, your dentist will smooth the root surface of the tooth, which allows your gum tissue to reattach itself to your teeth. Ideally, this will close up the gum pocket, preventing further infection and tooth loss.
Periodontal disease is not a life-threatening condition.
However, if you have gum disease, your gums can recede quite quickly. In some cases, they may even recede within a matter of weeks or months. Of course, the rate at which your gums recede also depends on your age. As we age, our gums naturally begin to recede.
To help your oral hygiene routine at home and treat periodontal disease, using a water flosser can make a difference. Water flossers are easy to use and can reach up to 90% of your gum pocket. A water flosser can remove plaque and improve your gum health.
As long as there is no active infection in the mouth, patients shouldn't have problems with their implants. Even if you've suffered from advanced periodontal disease with accompanying significant bone loss, you should be able to get dental implants if you have that bone augmented with a bone graft first.
Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue; it isn't an infection of the teeth. Therefore, it is important to understand that removing your teeth will not actually treat or cure your gum disease. However, extractions can be an important part of your overall treatment plan to get your oral health back on track.
Patients may feel some pressure or vibration during the procedure, but shouldn't experience any pain. After the procedure, some patients may experience mild discomfort, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Does gum graft surgery hurt? You'll be numb during your gum graft surgery, so you won't feel anything during the procedure. You'll probably have mild soreness after your procedure, but your periodontist will give you medications and post-surgical instructions to help minimize your discomfort.
Advanced periodontitis
Tooth roots are only 10 – 12 mm long, so when the pockets between your teeth and gums are 7mm or greater, your teeth are in severe danger of being lost.