Periodontics (Gum Care)
Your professional cleaning scheduled every six months takes place to keep your teeth and gums healthy. However, if you have symptoms of gum disease, you may be in need of scaling and root planing. This procedure is one of the most effective, non-surgical ways to treat gum disease before it progresses. You can enjoy a healthy, radiant smile once again!
How Does Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease) Develop?
Gum disease results from the presence of a sticky film of bacteria called plaque, which is always forming on the teeth. If not cleaned well, the bacteria plaque contains can cause gum inflammation. When this happens, your gums begin to pull away from your teeth forming spaces called pockets. Plaque gets trapped in these pockets, and cannot be removed using regular brushing and flossing. If left untreated, periodontal disease can result in bone and tooth loss.
During your regular dental cleanings every six months, we remove plaque and tartar to protect your teeth from gum disease. However, if the pockets present between your gums and teeth are too deep, you will likely need scaling and root planing.
What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical procedure and has been shown to be highly effective in treating gum disease and preventing its progression. It involves deep cleaning between your gums and teeth, all the way to their roots.
If we diagnose you with the first stage of gum disease called gingivitis, we may recommend a deep cleaning because the routine cleaning only involves scraping plaque off of the teeth. Our goal is to remove the infection, promote healthy gum reattachment, and prevent gum infection from progressing to periodontitis, which is a more advanced stage of gum disease.
What Is the Procedure?
Scaling and root planing may need more than one appointment to complete, and may require numbing using a local anesthetic for your comfort. Your deep cleaning is a two-stage procedure. During scaling, we will remove all the plaque and tartar above and below your gum line, making sure to clean all the way to the bottom of the pockets.
The next stage of your cleaning is root planing, which involves removing any plaque that has moved deep into your gums and roots. We will smooth out any rough areas on the enamel to help your gums reattach to your teeth.
What Should You Expect?
After the scaling and root planing procedure, you may experience mild pain for a day or two and sensitivity for up to a week. We may prescribe painkillers to control pain and antibiotics to avoid infection. We will likely schedule a follow-up appointment to measure the depth of your pockets and to assess your healing.
In most cases, red or swollen gums become firm and pink, while pockets become smaller after a scaling and root planing procedure. If you respond well to the treatment, you will likely not require any further intervention other than routine preventive care. If, however, your periodontal disease is an advanced stage, you may need additional treatments.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Contact us at Laguna Oaks Dental to learn more about scaling and root planing and our quality preventive services. Our highly trained and experienced team strives to help you maintain a healthy smile for a lifetime!
Call us at (916) 647-4151 to schedule your appointment today!
Want More Information?
If you'd like to learn more about our practice policies or how you can schedule your dental appointment at our Elk Grove, CA office, please don't hesitate to call us. We look forward to meeting you!