Periodontitics – Early to moderate gum disease.

Scaling and Root Planing – (often referred as ‘deep cleaning’)- Treatment can take anywhere between 1-2 appointments. Mouth may be separated in two or four quadrants. Patient will normally be numbed during the procedure.

Scaling and Root Planing is a deeper cleaning that goes below the gum line to remove bacteria, calculus, and tartar. This is a method of treating gum disease that left untreated; could lead to bad breath, bone loss, loose teeth, bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, and heart disease.

Scaling procedure – Removes tartar, plaque, and calculus from around, below, and under the gum line down to the bottom of the tooth pocket. This is done so the tooth can obtain a healing response.

Root Planing procedure – Smoothing of the root surfaces of the teeth; the procedure makes it more difficult for plaque to accumulate along the root surfaces. A favorable healing occurs when the gum tissue can more firmly reattach to smooth and clean roots; this too will lead to less sensitivity problems.

Both ultrasonic and hand scaler instruments are used during the procedure; these are used to go deep below gingival depth to target the periodontal disease that has developed in the tooth pockets.

The ultrasonic device both vibrates and has a liquid output. The vibration breaks down bacterial cell membranes (these are what cause the plaque and calculus to stick). Hand instruments complete the procedure by fine hand scaling; this removes anything left behind by the ultrasonic scaler. The water output helps in cooling the ultrasonic tip as well as by rinsing unwanted materials from the teeth and gum line.

Scaling and Root Planing treatment is followed by Periodontal Maintenance appointments usually at 3 or 4 month intervals at which time the health of the gums is assessed as well as pocket depth measurements.

Post up care – It is critical that the patient maintain a scheduled cleaning and exam appointment with his or her dentist following Scaling and Root Planing Treatment as well as maintaining proper at home hygiene; such as daily brushing and flossing.