The inability to see tonsil stones usually suggests that they may be deep in the tonsillar fossa, for which it is recommended that the patient go to the hospital for observation with the help of an indirect laryngoscope. First, the doctor can use a suction device or stripper to probe through the tonsillar fossa to see if the tonsil stones can be found, and if so, they can be gradually peeled out. If this does not work, the mucosa of the tonsillar crypt can be cut open to enlarge the crypt and get the stone out of the crypt. In general, this is not particularly advocated clinically because tonsil stones can often be treated by gargling, and incision or the like may lead to local infection and discomfort.