Scaling & Root Planing
In periodontal disease, gums become swollen and start to detach from the teeth, forming pockets that harbor plaque and tartar, leading to infections. The scaling treatment involves a dentist or hygienist cleaning these deposits from your teeth and roots. This thorough cleaning can be performed using manual tools, electronic devices, or a combination of both methods.
If you’re dealing with gum disease, your dentist might advise that scaling and root planing become a regular part of your dental care, alongside your usual cleanings and exams.
Although scaling and root planing can’t cure periodontal disease, they can effectively slow down or stop its progression. The purpose of this treatment is to eliminate the bacteria-filled plaque and tartar that cause gum and bone inflammation. By doing this, scaling and root planing can often prevent the need for surgical procedures in the future and help your gums become healthy and pink again, reducing swelling and bleeding.
What Is Scaling & Root Planing??
Scaling and root planing, often referred to as “deep cleaning” or “periodontal therapy,” is the gold standard treatment for patients with gum disease (periodontitis). If your periodontitis is at risk of worsening, your dentist may recommend this procedure to help control the disease. However, it’s important to understand that this is not a one-time treatment. You may need to return for additional scaling and root planing sessions as necessary to maintain optimal oral health despite your condition.
Procedure Overview
- The handheld instruments used in scaling and root planing include a scaler and a curette. These tools resemble metal chopsticks with sharp, curved tips. If you’ve had a regular dental cleaning, you’ve likely seen them before. The dentist uses these tools to gently scrape along the tooth below the gum line, identifying areas where tartar and plaque have accumulated.
- Electronic scalers utilize ultrasonic vibrations to remove plaque and tartar. The vibrating metal tip chips away the tartar while an accompanying water spray washes away the debris and keeps the tool cool.
- During the root planing part of the treatment, the dentist or hygienist smooths the surface of the tooth root. This makes it more difficult for bacteria to adhere in the future and helps the gums reattach. The same tools are used, but with a focus on smoothing out rough spots. After root planing, a disinfectant or antibiotics may be applied to further prevent bacterial growth.
- Given the sensitivity of gums, especially if they are already swollen from periodontitis, we numb the gums before starting the scaling and root planing treatment to ensure you feel no pain or discomfort. Typically, only one or two quadrants of the mouth are treated at a time. This way, we only need to numb one side of the mouth, allowing you to eat and drink fairly normally as the anesthesia wears off.