The goal of scaling and root planing is to eliminate the source of periodontal infection by removing the plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins from the root surfaces of the teeth below the gumline. The tooth roots are planed to smooth the root surface allowing the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth. Early non-invasive treatment may prevent future periodontal surgery. Scaling and root planning treatment is followed by adjunctive therapy such as local/systemic delivery of antimicrobials (e.g. Arestin, Chlorhexidine), as needed on a case-by-case basis.
When you have active periodontal disease, routine cleanings are not enough because they generally remove plaque and tartar from above the gumline only.
The procedure:
To keep you comfortable, we usually anesthetize the area before root planing begins. Using specialized instruments, we carefully and meticulously remove the plaque and tartar around and below the gumline, and then smooth the root surfaces. This removes the source of infection and helps your gums heal. As they heal, your gums will tighten around your teeth.
We may schedule scaling and root planing over several appointments. This way we can promote your comfort, check the healing, and help you fine-tune your homecare efforts.
Many patients do not require any further active treatment after this initial therapy. However, the majority of patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy to sustain optimum dental health. Non-surgical therapy does have limitations, and surgical intervention may be indicated to restore periodontal structures damaged by periodontal diseases and to facilitate oral hygiene practices.
