Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling & root planing is the gold standard of treatment for patients diagnosed with gum disease (i.e. periodontitis). This procedure is sometimes referred to as “deep cleaning” or simply “periodontal therapy”. If you have periodontitis that is at risk of getting worse, the dentist may recommend scaling & root planing to keep your gum disease from advancing. However, you should know that this is not a procedure that you can just undergo once then forget about it. We may recommend that you continue to coming in for scaling & root planing as necessary to keep your mouth as healthy as possible despite your condition.
In periodontal disease, swollen unhealthy gums start to pull away from the teeth because of pockets where infection-causing plaque & tartar accumulate. During a scaling part of the treatment, the dentist or hygienist removes plaque, tartar & bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth & tooth roots. This is done with either hand tools or electronic instruments, or a combination of both.
The handheld instruments used are a scaler & a curette. Both of these tools look a little like a metal chopstick with a sharp, curved tip. You’ve seen them before if you’ve had a regular dental cleaning. By gently scraping the tool along your tooth below the gum line, the dentist can find areas of tartar & plaque buildup.
Electronic scalers use ultrasonic vibration to remove plaque & tartar. The vibrating metal tip of the tool can chip away tartar & an accompanying water spray washes away the debris as it’s removed. This water spray also keeps the tip of the tool nice & cool.
In the root planing part of the treatment, the dentist or hygienist smoothes the surface of the tooth root to make it harder for bacteria to stick in the future & easier for the gums to re-attach. This is done with the same tools mentioned above but with a focus on making rough spots smooth again. Once the root planing is finished, the dentist may apply a disinfectant or antibiotics to further discourage the return of bacteria.
If you’ve ever been poked in the gums by accident, you know how sensitive they can be, especially if they’re already swollen from periodontitis. Before starting the scaling & root planing treatment we will numb your gums so that you won’t have any pain or discomfort while we’re working. Typically, only one or two quadrants of a patient’s mouth are treated at a time. That way we only need to numb one side of the mouth, so you’ll still be able to eat & drink fairly normally following your appointment as the anesthesia starts to fade.
While scaling & root planing cannot cure periodontal disease, it can slow or stop its progression. The point of this procedure is to remove the bacteria-filled plaque & tartar that inflame your gums & the surrounding bone. Scaling & root planing can reduce the need for surgical intervention in the future & often helps swollen bleeding gums become healthy & pink again.
If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend that scaling & root planing, along with periodontal maintenance checkups, become part of your routine dental visits, just like your cleanings & exams.
Eat, Chew & Smile Naturally Again
Dental Implants are the best choice for replacing missing teeth & restoring your smile to both beauty & functionality.
Lowest Cost Braces! Results in 120 Days!*
We are proud to offer Fastbraces® – & we’re offering this orthodontic option for both adults & children.
*The statements “Lowest Cost” & “in 120 days” are typical Fastbraces® patient experiences relative to traditional braces. Your Fastbraces® case may take a longer or shorter time, & may be less or more costly.
Relaxation Dentistry
We offer sedation dentistry to patients of all ages with different levels of anxiety, ranging from mild nervousness to moderate phobias.
Ready to Book Your Appointment?
At Hilde Family Dentistry, we have convenient hours that won’t make you miss work or school.
Address & Phone
Hours
- Monday: 10am-7pm
- Tuesday: 7am-4pm
- Wednesday: 10am-7pm
- Thursday: 10am-7pm
- Friday: 7am-4pm
- Saturday: 8am-4pm
- Sunday: 8am-4pm
About Us
Hilde Family Dentistry is a team of caring, experienced dental professionals who use only the most advanced technologies, materials & procedures & whose primary focus is on comfortable, health-centered dentistry. At our community-focused practice, your comfort & satisfaction come first. We look forward to meeting you soon & developing a relationship with you to build the bridge toward long-term trust & successful dental care. Hilde Family Dentistry invites you to see why our patients can’t stop smiling!