8221 Glades Road, Suite 4, Boca Raton, FL 33434
The Gold Standard Treatment for Gum Disease
When periodontal disease develops, swollen and unhealthy gums begin to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where infection-causing plaque and tartar accumulate. Scaling and root planing is designed to treat exactly this problem. During the scaling portion of the treatment, the dentist or hygienist removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and tooth roots, using hand tools, electronic instruments, or a combination of both. At Glades Dental Group in Boca Raton, this deep cleaning procedure helps protect your gums, teeth, and overall oral health.
If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend that scaling and root planing, along with periodontal maintenance checkups, become part of your routine dental visits, much like your regular cleanings and exams. While scaling and root planing cannot cure periodontal disease, it can slow or stop its progression. The goal of the procedure is to remove the bacteria-filled plaque and tartar that inflame your gums and the surrounding bone. In doing so, it can reduce the need for surgical intervention in the future and often helps swollen, bleeding gums become healthy and pink again.
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What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is the gold standard of treatment for patients diagnosed with gum disease, also known as periodontitis. This procedure is sometimes referred to as a deep cleaning or simply periodontal therapy. If you have periodontitis that is at risk of getting worse, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing to keep your gum disease from advancing.
It is important to understand that this is not a one-time procedure that you can undergo and then forget about. To keep your mouth as healthy as possible despite your condition, we may recommend that you continue to come in for scaling and root planing as needed. This ongoing approach is key to managing periodontal disease and protecting your long-term oral health.
Why Scaling and Root Planing Matters
Scaling and root planing offers important benefits for anyone dealing with gum disease. Here is why this treatment is so valuable for patients at our Boca Raton practice:
Stops Disease Progression
It can slow or halt the advance of periodontal disease.
Removes Harmful Buildup
It clears the plaque and tartar that inflame the gums and bone.
Reduces Future Surgery
Early treatment can lower the need for surgical intervention later.
Restores Healthy Gums
It often helps swollen, bleeding gums become pink and healthy again.
Promotes Reattachment
Smoothing the roots helps the gums reattach to the teeth.
Protects Your Smile
Ongoing treatment helps you keep your natural teeth longer.
What to Expect During Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is performed with your comfort in mind, and the area is always numbed beforehand. Typically, only one or two quadrants of the mouth are treated at a time. This means we only need to numb one side of your mouth, so you will still be able to eat and drink fairly normally as the anesthesia fades after your appointment.
Numbing the Area
Because gums affected by periodontitis can be very sensitive, we numb your gums before we begin so you will not feel pain or discomfort during treatment.
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Scaling with Hand Tools
Handheld instruments called a scaler and a curette, which look like a metal chopstick with a sharp, curved tip, are gently scraped along the tooth below the gumline to find and remove tartar and plaque buildup.
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Scaling with Electronic Instruments
Electronic scalers use ultrasonic vibration to remove plaque and tartar. The vibrating tip chips away tartar while an accompanying water spray washes away debris and keeps the tool cool.
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Root Planing
The dentist or hygienist smooths the surface of the tooth root using the same tools, focusing on making rough spots smooth again. This makes it harder for bacteria to stick in the future and easier for the gums to reattach.
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Applying Disinfectant
Once root planing is finished, the dentist may apply a disinfectant or antibiotics to further discourage the return of bacteria.
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Who Needs Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing may be recommended for you if you:
- Have been diagnosed with gum disease or periodontitis
- Have gums that are swollen, red, or bleeding
- Have deep pockets forming between your gums and teeth
- Have noticeable plaque and tartar buildup below the gumline
- Are at risk of your gum disease progressing without treatment
- Need ongoing periodontal maintenance to manage your condition
A periodontal evaluation at our Boca Raton office is the best way to determine whether scaling and root planing is right for you. Our team will assess the health of your gums and recommend the most effective course of treatment.
Restore Your Gum Health in Boca Raton Today
If you have been diagnosed with gum disease or are noticing signs like swollen or bleeding gums, scaling and root planing from Glades Dental Group can help stop the disease from progressing and restore your gum health. Our caring team is here to help you protect your smile. Call us today at 561-883-2786 or request an appointment online to schedule your evaluation.
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