What are Tooth Scaling and Root Planing?

Scaling and root planing are also known as deep cleaning in dentistry. The procedure assists in the removal of tarter that stick to your teeth. You need to have these treatments if you are having periodontitis.

Tooth scaling clean tarter accumulated on the surface of the teeth that is visible while smiling. On the contrary, root planning helps remove plaque from the teeth that build ups below your gum line.

Who performs tooth scaling and root planing?

The treatments – tooth scaling and root planning are performed by dentists and periodontists. The procedure is performed by a dental hygienist. They are done in a single visit. You just need to book one appointment to treat all of your teeth.

Who are the candidate for tooth scaling and root planing?

Many people have periodontal disease over the age of 30. The risk increases as you age. It is estimated that almost 3 in 4 adults over 65 have this problem.

Various risk factors are associated with periodontitis. Some of these are as under:

• Diabetes.
• Overbite or crooked teeth (malocclusion).
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Smoking.
• Family history of gum disease (genetics).
• Health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
• Hormone changes during pregnancy or birth control.
• Improperly fitted dental bridges or defective dental fillings.
• Stress.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

What happens before tooth scaling and root planing?

Periodontal disease won’t cause any pain. Your dentist can diagnose you with periodontitis when you go for a dental check-up. They may suggest you get dental X-rays to figure out problems including cavities, bone loss, or tooth infection. If you have this problem, your dentist will give you the options for its treatment. You will undergo tooth scaling and root planing in the coming appointments.

What should you expect from these treatments?

This deep dental cleaning reaches below your gum line to remove the tartar from every tooth including the roots altogether. To lessen the pain, the dentist will numb your teeth by giving you local anesthesia.

What does the procedure (tooth scaling) involve?

Your dentist will use a vibrating tool which is known as an ultrasonic scaler to perform the process of scaling. The procedure involves the following step:

• There is a vibrating metal tip on the scaler which removes all the accumulated food particles above the gum line.
• The device has a water spray that washes away the tarter and plaque side by side.
• Then a dental scaler and scraping device are used by the dentist to remove the remaining pieces of tartar.

What are the steps in root planning?

Root planing is the same as tooth scaling. The difference is that the former is performed on the roots of your teeth that are below the gum line.

During the procedure, the dentist

• Uses a tooth to set aside your gum tissue so that the surface of the roots can be exposed.
• Apply the same scaling toots to remove tarter and plaque from the roots, thus making them soft.
• Sometimes, they have to inject an antibiotic medication right into the gum pockets.

Scaling and root planning aftercare:

There are very less chances that bacteria and plaque buildup on the smooth surfaces of the teeth in which treatment is done. As the gums start to heal, the inflammation decreases. Your healthy gums get firmly reattached with the smoothed tooth roots.

In the later appointments, the dentist measures the pockets located near your gum tissue. If the pockets fail to decrease, then you need to have periodontal surgery. The steps include:

• Bone grafting is needed to replace the lost bone with either lab-made material or bone from a donor.
• Flap surgery to decrease the size of your gum pocket smaller by dropping your gum line.
• Soft tissue grafting to insert tissue from the roof of your mouth with lost gum tissue.

What is the number of dental appointments needed for tooth scaling and root planing?

The number of appointments is dependent on the gravity of the situation. Some dentists can treat one side of the mouth (both upper and lower teeth) in one visit while the other side of the mouth in the second visit.

On the contrary, some providers treat each side of the mouth in a separate visit. For instance, in the first appointment, they scale only on the lower right side of your mouth. At your next visit, treatment on the upper right side of your mouth is performed. In this way, you need to book four appointments.

RISKS / BENEFITS

What are the advantages of tooth scaling and root planing?

Studies show that tooth scaling and root planing are proving to be very effective in treating periodontitis. They can save you from losing gum tissue, teeth, and bone.

What are the risks associated with tooth scaling and root planing?

Tooth scaling and root planing can cause pain during the healing time. However, the overall risks associated with the procedure are very less. People experiencing heart problems such as endocarditis may take antibiotics before they get these procedures. Antibiotics decrease the chances of a bacterial infection. You can consult the dentist if you need to take these steps.

RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK

What is the recovery period of these procedures?

You may have slight sallowness in your gums. There can be some teeth sensitivity as well. The scaling and root planing aftercare involve:

• Eating soft foods
• Avoiding foods and drinks that are too hot or cold.
• Using mouthwash
• Taking pain relievers and antibiotics.

You need to give proper care to your teeth as nobody wants to lose them. Thankfully, tooth scaling and root planing can give you the smile of your dreams if you have periodontitis. Only paying a visit to the dental professional can save you from such problems as they have all the necessary tools and expertise to remove the build-up tartar that causes periodontal disease. But daily brushing and flossing can make your gums and teeth healthy. Therefore, to lower the chances of such problems, pay a visit to the dentist in Dallas TX.