Tandfickan

Tandfickan, in dental Swedish, refers to the periodontal pocket, the space between the tooth and surrounding gum tissue that forms when the gums detach from the tooth due to inflammation. In a healthy mouth the gingival sulcus is shallow, typically about 1 to 3 millimeters deep; a pocket is present when probing depths exceed normal limits or when there is attachment loss. The pocket is evaluated clinically with a periodontal probe.

Pocket formation is commonly associated with periodontal disease and can be categorized as a true periodontal pocket, where the junctional epithelium migrates apically and connective tissue is lost, or a gingival pocket, where swelling alone increases the sulcus depth without attachment loss. Pseudopockets may occur from edema but lack true periodontal attachment changes.

Diagnosis includes measurement of probing depth, assessment of bleeding on probing, signs of inflammation, tooth mobility, and radiographic evaluation of bone loss. A pocket depth greater than 3 millimeters is commonly used as a threshold for periodontal disease, with deeper pockets indicating more extensive destruction.

Treatment aims to halt progression and restore periodontal health. Non-surgical therapy such as scaling and root planing is used to remove plaque and calculus; adjunctive antimicrobials may be prescribed. In more advanced cases, surgical procedures (pocket reduction, flap surgery, or regenerative approaches) may be employed. Ongoing maintenance and good oral hygiene are essential to prevent reformation.