Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and Root Planing

Having a trusted dentist who is dedicated to your oral health, comfort, and well-being is a wonderful feeling. Many people avoid going to the dentist out of fear of costs or pain. Our highly-skilled and well-trained staff offer comfort and care to every patient. We understand that if certain conditions go untreated, the treatment plan will be more difficult and possibly uncomfortable in the long-term.

Periodontal disease, also known and gum disease, is something that we can treat to prevent a more severe outcome. In healthcare, prevention is key. The easiest way to prevent more invasive procedures is to have regular cleanings.

For those of you who do have gum disease, we’re here to help make the treatment as painless and effective as possible. Using methods such as scaling and root planing allows us to remove the damage caused by gum disease while preventing it from going even further.

Gum Disease

Scaling and root planing is the process of removing gum disease and repairing the damage. This procedure is mildly invasive and highly effective. Sufferers of gum disease will often notice inflammation and swelling in the gums. This is due to the bacteria known as Gingivitis. When teeth are not properly cleaned, a thick plaque builds up harvesting bacteria that eventually attacks the gums and underlying bone structure of the mouth.

If these bacteria are not treated and removed, it can cause the connective tissue between tooth and gum to decay resulting in tooth loss. As professionals, we prefer to save your teeth if possible. This is why we enjoy educating and using preventative measures to ensure the integrity of each tooth.

When gingivitis gets into the gum, it will cause tiny pockets of decay in the teeth. The deeper this bacteria travels, the more damage it can do. Although you may already have gum disease, it is still treatable. To avoid needing surgery, it is best to handle the issue early on. We use a technique referred to as scaling and root planing to correct the damage, which is a non-surgical procedure.

Scaling and Root Planing

To maintain the most comfort for our patients, we use a local anesthetic to numb the area before working. When we are cleaning, we are looking for signs of decay and damage from bacteria. Cleaning deep below the gum line, we can even work on the roots of your teeth safely.

Once we are in the gums, we will smooth out any of the deep pockets left behind from the disease. Doing this will promote attachment back to the gums and prevent further damage.

Post Care

Having the scaling and root planing procedure done does not require much downtime. You can get back to your normal daily activities rather quickly. You must follow the aftercare plan that we have in place for you. Scheduling follow-up visits and routine cleaning will ensure that you do not have any more issues.

For consultation and to understand your options give us a call!