Supporting the health of your teeth by protecting your gums with periodontal pocket reduction and more!

Dr. Roya Shoffet has dedicated her career to acquiring knowledge on the latest technologies, treatments, and techniques to benefit patients of all ages from across the West Hills area of Los Angeles, California. In turn, our patients at Royal Dental Practice know that all the safe and precision treatments they need are available under one convenient and well-appointed roof. These interventions include therapies to reduce the size of the periodontal pockets that form between the teeth and gums as the result of progressive gum disease. 

Advanced care without the specialist’s price tag!

The gums surround, protect, and support your teeth. Healthy gums are generally pink and firm. They do not feel tender when touching them and do not bleed when brushed or flossed. 

During regular check-ups, Dr. Shoffet evaluates the health of the gums as well as the teeth. While bleeding, tenderness, inflammation, and swelling are all potential signs of gum disease, she can also use a special tool or probe to identify the presence and severity of early-stage gingivitis or more advanced periodontitis. She gently measures the size of the space that forms between the teeth and gums. These periodontal pockets provide insights into the nature and extent of disease. 

Notably, the larger the pocket, the more extensive the damage to the teeth (as it is indicative of the process of the gums pulling away or receding): 

• One to three millimeters is generally “ideal” and indicates “normal” or healthy gum tissue
• Four millimeters suggests a “warning sign,” gingival inflammation or early gum disease (gingivitis)
• Five or six millimeters presents the start of periodontitis or advanced gum disease
• Six to eight millimeters is suggestive of moderate periodontitis
• 8 to 12 millimeters is indicative of advanced periodontitis, the stage in the disease process characterized by infection and the breakdown of both soft and hard supportive tissues in the jaw

Earlier-stage gum recession and smaller periodontal pockets are largely resolved with less invasive interventions, such as medicated rinses and changes to oral hygiene home care. Nonsurgical therapies such as “deep cleaning” (Scaling and Root Planing) may also be all it takes to heal diseased gums. However, for patients with more advanced disease or whose gums did not respond well to nonsurgical treatments, Dr. Shoffet may suggest surgical intervention. As needed, these treatments involve removing bacteria, cleaning the periodontal pockets, and rebuilding deteriorated tissue by transferring donor tissue (a graft) to the recessed area.  

Do not “sit” on changes to the appearance and feel of your gums. These and other treatments available at Royal Dental Practice may be able to “save” your teeth and smile by protecting the tissues that support them. 

Call (818) 334-6655 to schedule your appointment at our office in West Hills, Los Angeles, CA.

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