Surgical pocket therapy.

(1) Periodontal pockets can be treated successfully by several modalities of surgery. (2) Periodontal pocket walls do not have to be eliminated surgically in order to stop the progress of periodontal disease. (3) A residual defect which can be probed beyond 3 mm at the site of a previous peridontal pocket, does not signify a progressive lesion as long as it does not appear inflamed or contain, exudate and bleeds when probed. (4) The most important aspect of all pocket therapy is to make the exposed root surface biologically acceptable to the surrounding soft tissues. (5) The gingiva should be so closely adapted to the teeth at the end of the healing following treatment that subgingival plaque does not colonize to the extent of being recognizable clinically. (6) Frequent professional prophylaxis is of paramount importance for success of all pocket therapy.