What is a periodontal pocket?

A periodontal pocket is accurately described as a space that forms between the tooth and the periodontal tissues due to attachment loss, which often occurs as a result of periodontal disease. This condition is indicative of the detachment of the periodontal ligament and the loss of supporting bone, leading to the creation of a deeper sulcus around the tooth.

In a healthy periodontium, the junctional epithelium is located at the cementoenamel junction, and there is typically a shallow gingival sulcus measuring 1-3 mm. When periodontal disease develops, factors such as plaque accumulation, inflammation, and eventually the breakdown of underlying structures can lead to the formation of a periodontal pocket, where the probing depth exceeds 3 mm, and attachment levels negatively change.

Understanding this mechanism is vital for diagnosing periodontal diseases and determining appropriate treatment strategies, as measuring the depth of these pockets is a key component of periodontal examinations. The presence of a periodontal pocket often correlates with the severity of periodontal disease and informs clinicians about the extent of the periodontal damage that may need to be addressed.