Periodontal Surgery
Pocket Reduction Surgery in San Fernando, CA
Treating deep gum pockets to stop gum disease and protect your teeth.
When gum disease creates deep pockets around the teeth, bacteria collect where cleaning cannot reach, and the infection continues to spread. Pocket reduction surgery cleans these areas thoroughly and reshapes the gums to shrink the pockets. At San Fernando Dental Care, this procedure helps halt advancing gum disease and preserve your natural teeth.
Complete Dental Care in San Fernando
Modern care for healthier, confident smiles.
Periodontal Surgery
What Is Pocket Reduction Surgery?
Also known as flap surgery, pocket reduction surgery treats the deep pockets that form between the teeth and gums in advanced gum disease. We gently fold back the gum tissue to remove hardened tartar and bacteria from the roots, then secure the gums snugly against the teeth. This reduces the depth of the pockets, making the area far easier to keep clean and giving your gums a chance to heal.
- Cleans deep below the gumline
- Reduces pockets that trap bacteria
- Helps stop gum disease from advancing
- Makes daily cleaning more effective
Why It Helps
Why Deep Pockets Are a Problem
Healthy gums fit snugly around your teeth with only shallow spaces between them. As gum disease progresses, those spaces deepen into pockets that:
- Trap bacteria and tartar where brushing cannot reach.
- Are impossible to fully clean at home or with routine cleanings.
- Allow infection to spread to the bone and supporting tissue.
- Lead to bone and tooth loss if left untreated.
The Process
During Your Surgery
Evaluation
We measure your pockets and confirm surgery is the right step.
Comfort First
The area is numbed so you stay comfortable throughout.
Deep Cleaning
The gums are gently opened to clean the roots and reshape as needed.
Healing
The gums are secured and heal into a tighter, healthier fit.
Long-Term Health
Keeping Gum Disease Under Control
Pocket reduction surgery is a powerful step, but keeping gum disease at bay takes ongoing care. Most patients follow up with periodontal maintenance visits and diligent home care to protect their results. We will guide you through recovery and help you keep your gums healthy for the long term.
Struggling With Gum Disease?
If deep gum pockets are threatening your smile in San Fernando, we can help. Book online or reach out to our team, and let San Fernando Dental Care help you get your gum health back on track.
Questions & Answers
Pocket Reduction Surgery FAQ
What is pocket reduction surgery?
It is a procedure that treats advanced gum disease by cleaning deep below the gumline and reshaping the gums so the pockets around the teeth become shallower and easier to clean.
Why do I need it instead of a deep cleaning?
When pockets are too deep to clean thoroughly with scaling and root planing alone, surgery provides direct access to remove bacteria and tartar and reduce the pocket depth.
Does pocket reduction surgery hurt?
The area is numbed so you stay comfortable during the procedure. Some tenderness and swelling afterward are normal and managed with simple aftercare.
How long is recovery?
Most patients heal within a couple of weeks. We provide clear aftercare instructions to keep you comfortable and support healthy healing.
Will the surgery cure my gum disease?
It significantly reduces the problem, but gum disease is a chronic condition. Ongoing periodontal maintenance and good home care keep it under control.
Can it save my teeth?
By halting the spread of infection and protecting the bone, pocket reduction surgery helps preserve teeth that might otherwise be lost to gum disease.
What can I eat after surgery?
Stick to soft, cool foods for the first several days and avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods while your gums heal.
How do I get started?
Book online or reach out to our team. We will evaluate your gum health and let you know whether pocket reduction surgery is right for you.
