Curettage of paradontal pockets is done to remove tooth tartar, plaque and pathologically changes soft tissues under the gums, which are impossible to remove during cleaning.

Smoothening of the surfaces of tooth roots helps fortify the gums to surfaces and reduces the depths of pockets.

Curettage in dentistry is used as one of the surgical treatments of periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the tissues surrounding the tooth and keeping it in the bone tissue. Despite the development of the preventive dentistry, after 35-40 years the prevalence of this disease reaches almost 100 %, among which about 20-40 % of cases are severe.

The development of inflammation in periodontal tissues is affected by many factors, including insufficient oral hygiene, sharp edges of fillings, vitamin deficiency, irrational diet, smoking, occupational hazards and adverse environmental conditions, stress and hereditary predisposition, lack of properly restored contact points between the teeth.

The most important factor is the action of the microbial factor, dental deposits and the initial stage of gum inflammation without appropriate treatment. An additional condition for the development of periodontitis may be disturbed circulation, as well as various disorders of the dentition.

Periodontitis can be acute and chronic, local and generalized. There is also mild, moderate and severe periodontitis.

The most common symptoms of the disease are itching, bleeding, hypersensitivity and loose gums, discomfort while chewing, pain. In later stages, the necks of teeth are exposed and become sensitive, mobility and loosening of teeth appear. In neglected cases, periodontitis may result in the loss of one or more teeth.

Treatment depends on the disease severity and includes non-surgical and surgical methods.

At the same time, quality and regular home care is very important.

Indications and contraindications

Surgical methods, including gingival curettage, are used for moderate and severe chronic periodontitis, when deep gum pockets need to be cleaned.

Gingival curettage can be open or close.

Its purpose is a complete cleaning of the periodontal pocket from pathological contents. Granulations, subgingival calculus, damaged dental cement, accumulations of microorganisms (subgingival plaques) are removed.

Close curettage is performed when it is necessary to clean periodontal pockets up to 4-5 mm deep. This is a classic method. However, it does not always allow to completely remove subgingival dental deposits, damaged dental cement or mucous membrane overgrowth, since the surgeon does not have a sufficient view of the surgical site.

Open curettage is a type of subgingival curettage which provides a clean cut wound on the inner surface of the gingival wall of the periodontal pocket, which facilitates its healing and further scarring of the pocket.

Contraindications to close curettage of periodontal pockets:

• - acute inflammation in the surgical site,
• - abscess,
• - too thin pocket walls,
• - depth of pockets more than 5 mm,
• - increased tooth mobility,
• - abnormal tooth position,
• - acute infections, severe concomitant diseases.

Post-procedure care

After the procedure, bleeding and swelling are possible which usually disappear within 24 hours. To reduce these manifestations, ice is applied to the cheek for 2-3 hours after the surgery at intervals of 15 minutes.

Your doctor may prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics to prevent infection. You need to drink a lot.

Within several days after curettage, soft food at a comfortable temperature is recommended; it is recommended to avoid smoking, alcohol and heavy physical exertion.

You need to brush your teeth carefully without touching the wound area, rinse your mouth with warm water after each meal. The stitches are usually removed after 7-14 days. After that, a compulsory medical check-up and training in the skills for individual home hygiene are needed.

Curettage is an effective surgical method which stops the progression of periodontitis and save teeth.