Oral Surgery & Periodontics
Pocket Reduction Surgery
Closing the space where gum disease hides.
25,000+ patients served across our 3 offices
The Anthem approach
Advanced gum disease creates pockets: spaces between tooth and gum that deepen as infection destroys the bone underneath. Once a pocket passes a certain depth, no toothbrush, floss, or routine cleaning can reach the bottom of it — and the bacteria living there keep working on the bone that holds the tooth in place.
Pocket reduction surgery treats what a deep cleaning can't. The gum tissue is gently folded back to expose the root surfaces and the bone beneath, the infected tissue and hardened deposits are thoroughly removed, damaged bone is smoothed or grafted where needed, and the gum is secured back against the tooth so the pocket closes.
This is usually recommended after scaling and root planing has been tried and pockets remain deep. It doesn't cure periodontal disease — nothing does, once it's established — but it stops the progression and gives you a gumline you can actually keep clean, which is what protects the tooth long term.
- Reaches infection that deep cleanings cannot
- Halts ongoing bone loss around the tooth
- Leaves a gumline you can keep clean at home
- Protects teeth that would otherwise be lost
Good to know
OfficeAvailable at all 3 offices
InsuranceIn-network with the major PPOs. Medi-Cal Dental & IEHP also accepted. Details
FinancingCareCredit & Sunbit — payments that fit your budget
New patients$125 exam & X-rays without insurance
What to expect
Your visit, step by step.
Full periodontal charting to map pocket depths
Thorough cleaning of root surfaces under local anesthesia
Reshaping or grafting of damaged bone where needed
Gum secured back into place, then a maintenance plan that holds the result
FAQ
Pocket Reduction Surgery — your questions, answered.
How do I know if I need pocket reduction surgery?
It's considered when periodontal charting shows pockets that stay deep after scaling and root planing. We measure pocket depths at every periodontal exam, so this is a decision made from charted numbers rather than an impression.
Is the procedure painful?
The area is fully numbed, so the procedure itself is comfortable. Afterward, expect tenderness and swelling for several days, managed with soft foods and the pain relief we recommend.
What's recovery like?
Most patients are back to normal routines within a few days, with a week or so of soft foods and careful cleaning around the treated area. We'll see you for follow-up to confirm healing is on track.
Will my gums look different afterward?
Often, yes — because the procedure reduces pocket depth, teeth can appear slightly longer where swollen tissue has tightened back down. That's the tissue returning to a healthier position, and it's what makes home cleaning effective again.
Can gum disease come back after surgery?
It can, which is why maintenance matters more here than almost anywhere else in dentistry. Most patients move to periodontal maintenance cleanings every three to four months, and that interval is what keeps the result.
What happens if I don't treat deep pockets?
The infection continues destroying the bone that anchors the tooth. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, and deep pockets are the mechanism — treating them is what keeps the teeth.
New to Anthem Dental?
What to expect before you book
If you have not been to one of our offices before, what happens at a first visit walks through the whole appointment step by step — what we look at, what it costs, and what we will never do without telling you first. Walk-ins are welcome at every office, though calling ahead means less waiting.
Pocket Reduction Surgery is performed in-house, so nothing here is referred out to a stranger across town. Meet the team who would be treating you, and read how the practice works if you want the fuller picture. We are in-network with the major PPO plans and also accept Medi-Cal Dental (Denti-Cal) and IEHP — see the full list and what it means for your bill.
Choose whichever office is easiest for you: all 3 are here, each with its own hours, parking and directions.
Related care
Patients also explore
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Advanced surgical procedures — impacted teeth, grafting, and reconstruction — performed with 3D guidance in a practice you already trust.
Learn moreBruxism Treatment
Custom night guards and bite therapy that protect your teeth from clenching and grinding damage.
Learn moreCrown Lengthening
Precise reshaping of gum and bone — to rescue a damaged tooth or transform a gummy smile.
Learn more$125 New Patient Special
Ask us about pocket reduction surgery — no pressure, ever.
Comprehensive exam and full digital X-rays for new patients without insurance. New patients only. Dental emergencies welcome — we do our best to see you quickly.