Scaling and Root Planing

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, a bacterial infection of the gums, then our dentists at ONE Dental might recommend that you have two treatments called scaling and root planing.

What Are Scaling and Root Planing?

Scaling and root planing are two separate treatments that are most commonly used in conjunction with one another to help treat periodontal disease.

Scaling

Scaling is the process of using either a specially designed scraper or an ultrasonic device to break up and remove tartar and plaque that have accumulated on the surface of a patient’s teeth above, along, and below the gum line. Scaling helps eliminate pockets between the gums and teeth where bacteria thrive while allowing the gums to reattach to the surfaces of the teeth as the infection is gradually resolved.

Root Planing

Root planing offers a deeper cleaning that extends down along the roots of the teeth, removing any buildup, bacteria, and other debris. While root planing helps clean the deeper surfaces of a patient’s teeth, the treatment’s primary purpose is to smooth out the roots of the teeth. Smoothing the surface of the roots eliminates the cracks and grooves where bacteria can easily cling and multiply, helping to prevent future bacterial growth to stop the progression of periodontal disease better.

Are Scaling and Root Planing Painful?

Scaling and root planing treatments do go deeper than the scaling that occurs during a normal dental cleaning appointment. However, we use local anesthetics to ensure patients experience no pain or discomfort during treatment. Following treatment, any discomfort or inflammation is typically minor and can usually be adequately addressed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.

What To Expect During Your Periodontal Disease Treatment Appointment

At the beginning of your appointment, our dentist first administers a local anesthetic to ensure the treatment area is completely numb so that you do not experience any pain or discomfort during treatment. The treatment process then begins with the scaling of the teeth, followed by the root planing. During root planing, we might also administer an antibacterial sterilizing agent directly to the infected areas of the gums and periodontium. After your treatment is complete, our dentist provides you with aftercare instructions and might also prescribe an antibacterial mouth rinse to use at home to help discourage the growth of harmful bacteria within the gums.

Advanced Periodontal Disease Treatment in Miami

At ONE Dental, we offer our patients a variety of advanced treatments for periodontal disease. In addition to scaling and root planing, we can also treat more serious cases of infection with LANAP gum therapy, which is a laser surgery designed to remove and sterilize dead and diseased gum tissue to restore their health. To learn more about periodontal disease and the treatments available for you, we welcome you to contact ONE Dental today.