Your gums may bleed when you brush or floss. Or they may be swollen and red. If you notice these warning signs, you may have periodontitis, a severe gum disease with numerous long-term health consequences. We offer scaling and root planing, also known as deep cleaning, to treat gum disease at the earliest stage possible and halt its progression.
Treat Periodontitis at the Earliest Stage
Your gums are important. They are the foundation for your teeth and protect the delicate tissues and bone beneath them. When your gums are healthy, they fit snugly around your teeth. But when they are not, bacteria can collect in the pockets between your teeth and gums, causing infection and inflammation. This is called gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, caused by an accumulation of plaque and tartar, which can only be removed via dental cleaning. Gum disease is a chronic condition that worsens with time, leading to periodontitis, bone loss, and the loss of teeth. If you have gum disease, early diagnosis and treatment is essential — scaling and root planing is the first line of defense.
What is Scaling & Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing (SRP) is a type of deep cleaning performed when you have gum disease. SRP involves the removal of plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from above and below the gum line. This helps to smooth out the roots of your teeth so that bacteria can no longer attach as easily and cause infection. SRP is usually done over the course of two visits and may require local anesthesia.
Benefits of Scaling & Root Planing:
- Treat gum disease at the earliest stage possible
- Improve overall oral health and hygiene
- Prevent heart and respiratory problems
- Prevent the loss of teeth
- Treat the root cause of halitosis or persistent bad breath
- Remove stains from the enamel of the teeth
- Avoid needing expensive surgeries later
- Improve your smile and teeth
The Scaling & Root Planing Process
Your periodontal scaling and root planing starts with a thorough consultation with our dentist. The dentist will examine your teeth, discuss your symptoms, measure the pockets of space between the gums and teeth, and determine the severity of your condition. After a thorough evaluation, the dentist will determine if you’re a good candidate for scaling and root planing or if you also need other procedures. The dentist will perform deep cleaning under local anesthesia.
The first step in deep cleaning is scaling, which involves using a specialized ultrasonic scalar to remove the plaque and tartar from the teeth and gumline. The scaling device vibrates to shake and dislodge the hardened tartar from your teeth. During root planing, the dentist smoothens the roots of your teeth to minimize the accumulation and bacteria and promote optimal gingival healing. The dentist will also provide an antibiotic rinse to kill the remaining bacteria from your mouth and improve overall oral health.
Deep cleaning is usually done across two sessions. After the procedure, your gums may be tender and swollen. You might also have some bleeding. These side effects are normal and should go away within a few days, but you can take over-the-counter medications to reduce discomfort. Your gum tissues will gradually heal and tighten around your teeth, reversing the effects of gum disease.
Why Choose Advanced Dentistry & Implant Center?
Advanced Dentistry & Implant Center is a cosmetic, periodontal, and dental implant specialty practice dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain the perfect smile. The only way to maintain the perfect smile is to address all dental problems the moment they arise. Our dentists perform thorough examinations and checkups to identify and treat gum disease at the earliest stage possible. Please schedule an appointment if you notice the signs and symptoms of gum disease.
