Scaling and Root Planing

A scaling and root planing is performed in our office as a way to treat gum disease. Gum disease involves a bacterial infection that affects the gum tissue and surrounding bone of your teeth. Gum pockets form and become larger as periodontal disease progresses, allowing for bacteria and plaque to settle into these pockets and further infect the gum tissue and bone. A scaling and root planing involves cleaning out these gum pockets and preventing progression of the disease.

A scaling and root planing is necessary if you have mild to moderate gum disease. The purpose of the procedure is to prevent the progression of the disease and to clean the pockets that have formed around the teeth. The procedure is non-surgical and requires absolutely no sedation. Simple local anesthetic is needed to properly perform a scaling and root planing in our office.

With the help of an examination, we can determine if you’d benefit from a scaling and root planing. For mild to moderate periodontal (gum) disease, a scaling and root planing is sufficient at cleaning the gingival pockets and putting a stop to disease progression. However, other treatments are available and can be discussed at your consultation appointment.

The area that will be receiving the scaling and root planing will be numbed for your comfort. We will then work using specialized instruments to clean around the teeth and deep into the gum pockets that have formed as a result of the disease. The roots of the teeth are smoothed, or planed, to prevent bacteria from adhering to the surface. You will then be scheduled to come back for another scaling and root planing as is needed and recommended. The procedure can be done in under an hour in our office and is a critical step when it comes to putting a stop to gum disease progression.

If you think you may need a scaling and root planing, call our office today and we’ll work to answer any of your questions.