Curettage (Dental)

Curettage (Dental) is a periodontal procedure that involves scraping away diseased soft tissue from the walls of a periodontal pocket or from a tooth socket using a specialised instrument called a curette. The aim is to remove inflamed granulation tissue and bacteria that prevent healing, often performed alongside scaling and root planing to reduce pocket depth and encourage the gum to reattach to the tooth.

The treatment can be done as closed (non-surgical) curettage or as part of an open surgical approach when deeper access is required, typically under local anaesthetic. Patients may have mild discomfort, bleeding or swelling for a few days and recovery focuses on good oral hygiene and follow-up appointments; other options for more advanced disease include periodontal flap surgery or tooth replacement if structural support is lost.