Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing)

The sooner you begin treatment for gum disease, the better. If left untreated, the early stages of gum disease (known as gingivitis) can progress to periodontitis, which is a more threatening inflammation. You can even lose your teeth as the result of gum disease! If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, scaling and root planing may be recommended.

Scaling and root planing involves deep cleaning the pockets in the gums around your teeth. Plaque, tartar, and bacteria are removed, and the tooth root is smoothed. Toxins are flushed from the area to reduce inflammation.

Afterwards, we may recommend the use of medication, special mouth rinses, or an electric toothbrush to reduce future risk for gum disease.

In some cases, other treatments may be necessary. These other treatments can include:

• Laser treatment helps reduce the size of the pockets.
• Tissue and bone grafting is used when there has been a considerable amount of damage to the gum tissue or bone. We graft new tissue to the gum or bone, stimulating growth.
• Pocket elimination surgery or “flap surgery” lessens the size of pockets around the teeth.

One of the first treatment options typically used for gum disease is scaling and root planing. This treatment provides relief from gum disease inflammation by removing the bacteria from the area. Non-surgical procedures, scaling, and root planing may help prevent the need for more invasive surgical options such as tissue and bone grafting or pocket elimination surgery.

Scaling and root planing may be used either as treatment for gum disease or as a preventive measure and can have all of the following effects:

• Prevention of disease: Gum disease bacteria can actually cause other health problems as well, traveling through the bloodstream and infecting other areas. Heart disease may be linked to the plaque that causes gum disease. By removing these toxins, scaling and root planing help reduce your risk of systemic disease.
• Tooth protection: Gum disease and the damage caused by bacteria in the gum pockets can eventually cause tooth loss. Scaling and root planing will reduce this risk.
• Aesthetic benefits: There is an extra benefit of scaling and root planing. These procedures may help remove stains as well!
• Better breath: Bad breath is actually a symptom of gum disease, as bacteria and food particles build up and contribute to bad mouth odor. As these bacteria and food particles are cleaned away, odor is reduced.

What exactly are scaling and root planing? Scaling involves the use of special dental instruments and sometimes the use of an ultrasonic scaling tool. Calculus and plaque is removed from the surfaces of the crown and root. An antimicrobial agent may also be introduced to the area to clean out oral bacteria. Root planing removes dentin and cementum that may have tartar, bacterial toxins, or microorganisms embedded in them. These surfaces are smoothed down, which also makes it harder for bacteria to grow in the area.

After this treatment is performed, we may suggest antibiotic treatments to help with healing. We will examine the results at the next appointment. You may need further treatments if the size of your gum pockets has not gone down.

The team at Aliso Smiles wants to help you enjoy lifelong oral health. Contact us today to schedule your dental check-up.