title: Periodontal pocket--predictable treatment.
abstract: Periodontal pocket depths and attachment loss are charted early in treatment to establish a benchmark against which the success of treatment regimens will be measured. They are considered both a measure of past inflammatory disease and a reservoir for periodontal pathogens capable of further destruction. The clinician must strive to identify predictable means of treating pockets. Three nonpharmaceutical approaches can be considered: maintain the present depth and hope for the best when treating a patient who has already demonstrated susceptibility; reduce the pocket by resective treatment, a frequently used and very predictable corrective methodology; reduce the probing depth by accomplishing periodontal regeneration. This last approach is the treatment of choice, but it is often impossible to achieve. This article describes a treatment regimen that recognizes the need for proper diagnosis and an initial nonsurgical debridement regimen before considering surgery. It then evaluates surgical treatment alternatives and concludes with a mandate for a well-constructed periodontal maintenance program. It also provides long-term detailed analysis of patient treatment.
authors.affiliation: Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nevins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000601:surgery; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003094:Collagen; D012534:Dental Scaling; D005260:Female; D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000601:surgery; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal; D006801:Humans; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008903:Minerals; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: C106416:Bio-Gide; C077540:Bio-Oss; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008903:Minerals; D003094:Collagen