Overcome Gum Disease with Non-surgical Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing (SRP) in Glendale, Arizona, is one of the most common treatments for moderate to severe gum disease. Also called deep dental cleaning, this non-surgical procedure involves reaching beyond the gum line to remove plaque, mineralized calculus, and bacterial toxins.
My Dental and Implants offers periodontal cleanings to stop gum disease in its tracks before it causes irreversible damage. Please schedule an appointment today to learn how SRP can help maintain optimal gum health.
How are regular dental cleanings different from deep teeth cleanings?
Standard dental cleanings are preventive, while deep dental cleanings are administered to treat gum disease. Deep dental cleanings are administered in more than one visit and are more thorough than regular cleanings. With deep cleanings or oral prophylaxis, the dentist removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surface and just beneath the gum line. Periodontal cleanings target the deposits on the tooth roots and the deep pockets between the teeth and gums.
Do I need a periodontal cleaning?
The need for SRP can only be determined after examining your gums. Your doctor will look for gum redness, swelling, periodontal pockets, and other tell-tale signs of gum infection. We’ll also measure the depth between your teeth and gums (sulcus). A healthy sulcus is no more than 2-3mm deeper. Deeper readings and widespread calculus buildup signify the presence of periodontal disease, and appropriate action should be taken.ย
Deep cleaning is necessary when gum infection has become so pervasive that it can’t be addressed with at-home dental tools and standard cleanings. Administering a regular cleaning when a periodontal cleaning is needed can be counterproductive and risks disturbing and releasing the accumulated bacteria toxins into the bloodstream.
What can I expect from the scaling and root planing procedure?
Often, your treatment takes two or more visits, depending on the extent of your infection. We’ll treat one half (sometimes one quadrant) of the mouth at a time to maximize your comfort. Besides, we’ll precisely numb your mouth with local anesthetics for a pain-free experience.
The procedure starts with periodontal scaling, where the dentist uses high-tech instruments to remove plaque, tartar, and other nasties from the surface and roots of your teeth. We’ll reach all the surfaces of your mouth to ensure all unwanted deposits are removed to stop the progression of the infection.
After scaling, we’ll polish your tooth roots to remove rough spots that create perfect hiding spots for harmful bacteria. Polishing also promotes healing by encouraging healthy attachment of your gums to your teeth.ย
After treatment, you may experience mild bleeding, swelling, and tenderness, but this usually subsides after a few hours. Our team will give post-op instructions to ensure a swift recovery. We’ll also schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and the need for advanced treatments.
Scaling and Root Planing: Deep Cleaning for Healthy Gums
What is scaling and root planning? The most important thing in our oral cavity is the cleaning of it. So we want to make sure that we clean our gums and our teeth to make sure that we have a long lasting teeth. And when we have accumulated plaques and when we have gum disease, basically that’s when we want to do scaling and root planning. Scaling and root planning is also known as deep cleaning [00:00:30] where we use our instruments and chemicals. We make sure the patient is numb and then we go under the gums and clean all that bacteria and infection that is preventing the gums to attach to the teeth. So once we clean everything underneath the gums, then the gum is healthy now and it can reattach back to the teeth. But it’s important. After scaling and root planning, you continue your good oral hygiene at home.
Remember, whoever has gum disease and needs scaling and root planning needs to be on perial maintenance, meaning regular cleaning every three months. That’s crucial. If not, then we have to do another round of deep cleaning or scaling it with the planet. So home care is also important. Flossing. Flossing is very crucial. Patients always tell me that, doc, I can’t floss. It irritates my gum. I tell ’em, always start at least three times a week and do this for three weeks, and you’ll see the change. After the three weeks, all those inflammation will go down and you’re able to floss much more comfortably because all those bacteria is out. So home care and keeping up with per maintenance are two important factors that needs to be continued after scaling and re planning, which is deep clean.
Is scaling and root planing right for me?
Your gums may look and feel healthy, but trouble could be brewing on the inside. Call (623) 300-2550 to schedule an appointment with My Dental and Implants for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation. If deep teeth cleaning is necessary, rest assured that it will be a seamless and painless procedure.
FAQs
How does the scaling and root planing treatment work to restore the health of my smile?
Scaling and root planing is described as a deep cleaning procedure used to treat gum disease. The goal of this treatment is to remove plaque, bacteria, and even tartar from the outer surfaces of your teeth and below the gum line. This is done through two main steps. The first is scaling. Your dental hygienist uses special tools and instruments designed to remove any noticeable plaque and tartar buildup on the surface of your teeth. This step may involve hand instruments or an ultrasonic scaler, which uses vibrations to break up stubborn deposits. Next, after removing the visible buildup, your hygienist will smooth out the rough surfaces of your tooth roots during a step referred to as planing. This is essential for preventing bacteria from reattaching and causing further damage to your gums. During this process, Dr. Nima Afzalian or our hygienist might also apply antimicrobial agents to kill any remaining bacteria and promote healing in the gum tissues.
How long does scaling and root planing take?
The duration of a scaling and root planing procedure might vary depending on the severity of your periodontal disease and the number of teeth needing treatment. On average, one quadrant (1/4th) of the mouth can take 45 minutes to an hour. If you need multiple quadrants treated, your appointment may take longer.
Is the scaling and root planing treatment a painful procedure for patients?
Scaling and root planing might result in some discomfort due to the deep cleaning of your teeth and gums. However, local anesthesia is often used to numb the area being treated, making this procedure more comfortable. You may also experience minor soreness or sensitivity in your gums or teeth after the procedure, but this usually subsides within a few days.
Will I need follow-up appointments after scaling and root planing?
Yes, follow-up appointments are critical to ensuring the success of your scaling and root planing treatment. These appointments allow Dr. Nima Afzalian and his team to monitor your natural healing and recovery progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. Our team also provides you with personalized oral hygiene instructions to help maintain the health of your gums and teeth.
How often do I need the scaling and root planing procedure?
The number of scaling and root planing procedures required will often depend on the specific severity of your gum disease, as well as your individual risk factors for developing it. In general, patients with mild gum disease may only need this procedure every 6-12 months, while patients with more severe cases might require more frequent treatments. It is critical that you closely follow Dr. Nima Afzalian’s recommendations for regular check-ups and cleanings.
What are some signs that I may need scaling and root planing?
Common signs of gum disease typically include red, swollen, or bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, and receding gum lines. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nima Afzalian as soon as possible for a thorough evaluation to determine if scaling and root planing is necessary.
How can I prevent the need for scaling and root planing in the future?
The best way to prevent needing scaling and root planing in the future is by practicing good oral hygiene habits while at home and maintaining regular dental check-ups and cleanings. This might include brushing twice a day, flossing the teeth daily, and using an antiseptic mouthwash. It is also essential to avoid habits like smoking or tobacco use, which can increase your risk of gum disease. Additionally, following a balanced diet and managing any other underlying medical or health conditions that may contribute to gum disease can help prevent the need for scaling and root planing in the future.
