Irrigating devices have been incorporated into numerous oral hygiene regimens. Newer types of these devices are designed to deliver irrigating solutions directly into the periodontal pocket. We examined the ability of a powered irrigating device with a soft rubber tip to deliver subgingivally into periodontal pockets. When subgingival irrigation was used, the mean pocket penetration was 90% of the pocket depth (less than or equal to 6 mm) compared to a mean of 21% in the oral rinse group. The irrigation was not uncomfortable to patients.