What is the typical depth of periodontal pockets for healthy individuals?

The typical depth of periodontal pockets for healthy individuals is 3 mm or less. In a healthy periodontium, the attachment of the gingival tissues to the tooth occurs at a level that does not exceed this depth. A periodontal pocket becomes deeper when there is an inflammation of the periodontal tissues, which typically occurs in conditions such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Thus, maintaining pocket depths of 3 mm or less is an indicator of periodontal health and reflects a balance between the periodontal attachment and the supporting structures of the teeth.

Deep pockets, particularly those 4 mm or more, are indicative of periodontal disease, where changes in the periodontal attachment apparatus can lead to changes in pocket depth. Therefore, understanding that healthy periodontal pockets should generally measure 3 mm or less is crucial for evaluating periodontal health in patients.