We DO NOT ACCEPT Affinity, Fidelis, Health First or Medicaid

Arverne Dental - Pocket Reduction Surgery

Arverne Dental, under Dr. Lyuba Taft's expert guidance, offers advanced treatment for periodontal diseases, including pocket-reduction surgery. Our practice, conveniently located in Rockaway Beach, NY, is committed to helping you achieve optimal dental health and a confident smile.

What is Pocket Reduction Surgery?

The surgery is also called gingival flap or periodontal surgery. Its goal is to treat advanced periodontal diseases by reducing periodontal pocket depths around the teeth. The pockets are formed when the gums pull back from the teeth because of bacterial infection. This can lead to tooth instability and bone loss. Pocket reduction surgery involves lifting gum tissue to clean and access the root surfaces of teeth. It also involves removing bacteria, tartar, and plaque buildup.

Schedule an Appointment

Why Choose Pocket Reduction Surgery?

Treatment for Advanced Periodontal Disease: Patients with advanced periodontal diseases are often recommended to have pocket reduction surgery when non-surgical treatments such as root planing and scaling have not worked. Surgery can help stop the progression of periodontal diseases by removing bacteria, tartar, and other deposits below the gum line and reducing the depth of the pocket.


Preservation of Oral Health: If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and tooth mobility. By addressing the underlying infection, and restoring the health and function of the gums and the surrounding tissues, pocket reduction surgery is intended to preserve oral health. Surgery can help to promote a healthy oral environment by eliminating deep periodontal pockets.


Preventing Complications: Periodontal disease, left untreated, can cause serious complications for your oral health and overall well-being, including increased risks of stroke, diabetes, and other systemic diseases. Pocket reduction surgery reduces these risks by eliminating infection and inflammation of the gums. You can maintain a healthy, beautiful smile by addressing periodontal diseases early.

A person is holding a tablet with a picture of a dental x-ray

Get the most out of it!

New Patient Special

Exam, and all Necessary X-Rays for only $99
*Restrictions may apply

Request Your First Visit

Why Choose Arverne Dental for Pocket Reduction Surgery?

Dr. Lyuba Taft

Expertise Dr. Lyuba Taft: Dr. Lyuba Taft has extensive experience in periodontal surgery, including pocket reduction surgery. She also offers advanced treatment options for periodontal diseases. Dr. Taft's precision and knowledge allow her to create personalized treatment plans that are tailored to the unique needs of each patient, resulting in optimal results.


Advanced Techniques: Arverne Dental uses the latest techniques to perform pocket reduction surgeries with precision and efficiency. We use digital imaging and minimally invasive surgery to provide the best possible care for our patients. This minimizes discomfort and promotes faster healing.


Compassionate Care: Our team at Arverne Dental understands that surgery can be stressful. We are committed to providing compassionate support and care throughout your treatment. We are available to answer all your questions and concerns from your first consultation through to the post-operative check-up.


Pocket Reduction Surgery

Pocket reduction surgery is also called gingival flap or periodontal surgery. It's a specialized treatment that reduces the periodontal pocket depth around the teeth. This is a brief overview of how pocket reduction surgery typically works:

  • Initial Exam:

    Dr. Lyuba Taft will perform a thorough oral examination, including measuring the depth of pockets and assessing your overall health, before performing surgery. This allows Dr. Taft to assess the extent of the periodontal infection and plan the surgery accordingly.

  • Anesthesia:

    Local anesthesia is used to ensure that you are comfortable during the surgical procedure. Dr. Taft can also provide sedation for patients experiencing anxiety or discomfort.

  • Incision:

    Dr. Taft makes small incisions to gain access to the bone and root structure beneath the gum tissue. These incisions enable the lifting of the gingival flap to reveal the root surfaces and remove bacteria and tartar from below the gum line.

  • Scaling and Cleaning:

    Dr. Taft uses specialized instruments to thoroughly clean the roots of the teeth to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar. This procedure, also known as root planing and scaling, removes the source of infection from the gums and promotes healing.

  • Bone Reshaping (if needed)

    Dr. Taft can perform bone reshaping procedures or bone grafting to restore volume and support the teeth in cases of significant bone loss. This will help to stabilize teeth and prevent any further bone loss.

  • Gum Repositioning:

    After the root surfaces are cleaned and the necessary bone reshaping is completed, Dr. Taft repositions the gum flap in its new position and fixes it using sutures. This reduces the depth of the periodontal pocket and promotes proper healing of gums.

  • Postoperative Care:

    Dr. Taft provides instructions on post-operative care after the surgery. These include guidelines on oral hygiene, diet, and pain management. Follow these instructions closely to ensure proper healing and to minimize complications.

  • Visits to Monitor Healing:

    You will be scheduled for follow-up visits to monitor the healing process and ensure your surgical site heals properly. Dr. Taft might also recommend other treatments or regular maintenance visits to maintain long-term dental health.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Does Pocket Reduction Surgery Hurt? Local anesthesia is administered to the surgical site, which ensures that you are comfortable during the entire procedure. After the surgery, you may feel some swelling and discomfort. This can be treated with cold compresses and over-the-counter medications.


How Much Time Does it Take For Me to Recover After Pocket Reduction Surgery? Recovery times vary from patient to patient but are typically between a couple of days and a couple of weeks. You may experience swelling, mild discomfort, and bleeding in the days after surgery. These symptoms will gradually disappear as you heal.


Do I Need to Take Time Off From Work or School Following Pocket Reduction Surgery? Most patients can resume normal activities, including school or work, within a few days after surgery. However, you may be asked to refrain from strenuous activity and follow Dr. Taft’s post-operative instructions to heal properly.


Is Pocket Reduction Surgery Effective at Treating Periodontal Diseases? The surgery effectively treats advanced periodontal stages by reducing the depth of pockets, removing bacteria and tartar, and encouraging gum healing. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene and to attend regular dental examinations to prevent the recurrence of periodontal diseases.

A woman with questions

Is There a Risk or Complication Associated With Pocket-Reduction Surgery? Pocket reduction surgery, like any surgical procedure carries certain risks. These include infection, bleeding, and delayed healing. These risks are rare. Dr. Taft will take every precaution to ensure that her patients have a positive outcome.


Please contact us if you have questions or concerns regarding pocket reduction surgery or any other dental procedures. We are here to help you achieve optimal dental health and a confident, happy smile!

Schedule Your Consultation Now!

Are you ready to restore your smile and regain control of your dental health with pocket reduction surgery? Arverne Dental offers a free consultation with Dr. Lyuba Taft. Our expert periodontal services will help you achieve optimal dental health and confidence.

Schedule an Appointment
Share by: