Scaling and Root Planing | Dentist in 77084

When patients hear they need scaling and root planing, they often assume it’s a non-essential, preventative treatment. That’s because dental scaling is a common component of dental cleaning as well, which is a part of preventative dentistry. However, periodontal scaling and root planing are medically necessary procedures for patients with periodontal disease. At Dentaland, we perform numerous diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of your symptoms and curate personalized scaling and root planing treatment plans, if necessary. 

What is Dental Scaling and Root Planing?

Dental scaling and root planing, also known as periodontal scaling and root planing, is a deep teeth cleaning procedure. This is a restorative dental procedure that removes accumulated plaque and tartar from between your teeth and below the gum line. This procedure is meant for patients with periodontal disease, which can lead to damaged gum tissues, bone tissues, and teeth, if left untreated. If you avoid periodontal scaling and root planing, you may suffer dire consequences.

What is Dental Scaling and Root Planing?

Dental scaling and root planing, also known as periodontal scaling and root planing, is a deep teeth cleaning procedure. This is a restorative dental procedure that removes accumulated plaque and tartar from between your teeth and below the gum line. This procedure is meant for patients with periodontal disease, which can lead to damaged gum tissues, bone tissues, and teeth, if left untreated. If you avoid periodontal scaling and root planing, you may suffer dire consequences.

Are you suffering from gum disease? Speak to our dentist about scaling and root planing. Book now.

Are you suffering from gum disease? Speak to our dentist about scaling and root planing. Book now.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis or advanced gum disease, is a severe condition that affects your gums, bones, and teeth. You suffer from this inflammatory disease because of the continued accumulation of plaque and tartar beneath the gum line, on the base of your teeth, between the gums, and on the roots of your teeth. Most patients can prevent periodontitis by maintaining optimal oral hygiene, which includes brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist at least once every six months.

If you don’t go for regular dental cleaning, plaque continues accumulating on your teeth and gum line. Over time, the plaque hardens into a yellowish substance called tartar, which can’t be removed through regular brushing. Plaque and tartar deposits lead to increased bacterial activity on your teeth, leading to inflammation of the gums. As gum disease continues spreading, it leads to deep pockets of space between your teeth and gums — this condition is called periodontitis.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis or advanced gum disease, is a severe condition that affects your gums, bones, and teeth. You suffer from this inflammatory disease because of the continued accumulation of plaque and tartar beneath the gum line, on the base of your teeth, between the gums, and on the roots of your teeth. Most patients can prevent periodontitis by maintaining optimal oral hygiene, which includes brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist at least once every six months.

If you don’t go for regular dental cleaning, plaque continues accumulating on your teeth and gum line. Over time, the plaque hardens into a yellowish substance called tartar, which can’t be removed through regular brushing. Plaque and tartar deposits lead to increased bacterial activity on your teeth, leading to inflammation of the gums. As gum disease continues spreading, it leads to deep pockets of space between your teeth and gums — this condition is called periodontitis.

Let us help you achieve a bright and healthy smile. Book now.

Let us help you achieve a bright and healthy smile. Book now.

Why Do You Need Scaling and Root Planing?

Periodontitis is the condition wherein your gum disease has spread enough that it can only be slowed down — not reversed. As plaque and tartar move into the periodontal pockets, they lead to gum swelling, bleeding, abscesses, pus, halitosis, and loose teeth. Periodontitis also increases the risk of heart conditions, diabetes, respiratory problems, strokes, etc. If you don’t seek periodontal scaling and root planing treatments, the infection will continue spreading, eventually leading to the loss of teeth and bone tissues.

Why Do You Need Scaling and Root Planing?

Periodontitis is the condition wherein your gum disease has spread enough that it can only be slowed down — not reversed. As plaque and tartar move into the periodontal pockets, they lead to gum swelling, bleeding, abscesses, pus, halitosis, and loose teeth. Periodontitis also increases the risk of heart conditions, diabetes, respiratory problems, strokes, etc. If you don’t seek periodontal scaling and root planing treatments, the infection will continue spreading, eventually leading to the loss of teeth and bone tissues.

Is your gum disease getting worse? Gum disease treatment may be right for you. Book now.

Is your gum disease getting worse? Gum disease treatment may be right for you. Book now.

Signs You Need Tooth Scaling and Root Planing:

  • Red gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Swollen gums
  • Gum inflammation
  • Gums bleed while flossing
  • Gums pull away from the teeth
  • Persistent bad breath despite brushing
  • Pus-filled cysts between the gums and teeth

Signs You Need Tooth Scaling and Root Planing:

  • Red gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Swollen gums
  • Gum inflammation
  • Gums bleed while flossing
  • Gums pull away from the teeth
  • Persistent bad breath despite brushing
  • Pus-filled cysts between the gums and teeth

Let us help you maintain your oral health. Book your appointment now.

Let us help you maintain your oral health. Book your appointment now.

How Is The Scaling And Root Planing Process Performed?

Depending on your specific condition, your scaling and root planing procedures may be divided into two sessions. During the first visit, the dentist may clean the upper and lower quadrants of teeth on one side of your mouth. The other side might be handled in the second session. Since the two sides are divided into two sessions, you can notice visible differences between the two.

Your dentist will ideally curate the treatment plan after performing a thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums, which may include measuring the periodontal pockets. When your scaling and root planing procedures start, the dentist will administer local anesthesia to ensure optimal comfort. You can also ask for intravenous sedation to alleviate your mental worries and concerns.

During scaling, the dentist will use a scaler device or ultrasonic instrument to remove all the plaque and tartar from the gum line and teeth roots. During root planing, the dentist will clean below the gum line and smoothen the roots of your teeth. This will pave the way for your gums to heal around the teeth again, potentially reversing the effects of periodontal disease.

After the scaling and root planing procedure, the dentist will flush away all the bacteria and debris from your teeth to facilitate optimal tissue regeneration. You may experience some post-treatment swelling, discomfort, and pain, but that can be managed with over-the-counter medications. You must follow the dentist’s aftercare guidelines for a smooth recovery.

How Is The Scaling And Root Planing Process Performed?

Depending on your specific condition, your scaling and root planing procedures may be divided into two sessions. During the first visit, the dentist may clean the upper and lower quadrants of teeth on one side of your mouth. The other side might be handled in the second session. Since the two sides are divided into two sessions, you can notice visible differences between the two.

Your dentist will ideally curate the treatment plan after performing a thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums, which may include measuring the periodontal pockets. When your scaling and root planing procedures start, the dentist will administer local anesthesia to ensure optimal comfort. You can also ask for intravenous sedation to alleviate your mental worries and concerns.

During scaling, the dentist will use a scaler device or ultrasonic instrument to remove all the plaque and tartar from the gum line and teeth roots. During root planing, the dentist will clean below the gum line and smoothen the roots of your teeth. This will pave the way for your gums to heal around the teeth again, potentially reversing the effects of periodontal disease.

After the scaling and root planing procedure, the dentist will flush away all the bacteria and debris from your teeth to facilitate optimal tissue regeneration. You may experience some post-treatment swelling, discomfort, and pain, but that can be managed with over-the-counter medications. You must follow the dentist’s aftercare guidelines for a smooth recovery.

Gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Let us help you protect your smile. Book now.

Gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Let us help you protect your smile. Book now.

Scaling And Root Planing — FAQs

What does it feel like to get scaling and root planing?

Scaling and root planing might feel like having your teeth scraped with a special tool because that’s precisely what we do during scaling. You may also feel slight discomfort and pressure around your gums during root planing. However, you won’t experience any pain because we use local anesthesia to ensure comfort.

Can scaling and root planing help in treating receding gums?

Scaling and root planing remove the accumulated plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums, thus restoring optimal gingival health. Over time, without inflammation, your gum tissues will heal around the teeth again, thereby tightening the periodontal pockets. As such, yes, dental scaling and root planing can help with receding gums.

How often should periodontal scaling be done?

Periodontal scaling and root planing aren’t preventative treatments — they’re medically necessary, restorative treatments. You only need periodontal treatment when you have periodontitis.

Is scaling and root planing for everyone?

Scaling and root planing aren’t for everyone — they’re only for patients with severe gum disease or periodontitis.

Want to learn more about Scaling And Root Planing? Ask us!

Periodontal Scaling And Root Planing in Houston

Dentaland is a state-of-the-art dental clinic specializing in restorative dentistry and general dentistry in Houston, TX. Our exceptionally talented dentists, carefully examine your gums and teeth and run diagnostic scans to ensure you have periodontitis before recommending scaling and root planing. We take all measures necessary to protect your teeth and restore optimal oral health. Please schedule an appointment to explore your periodontal treatment options in Houston, TX.

Periodontal Scaling And Root Planing in Houston

Dentaland is a state-of-the-art dental clinic specializing in restorative dentistry and general dentistry in Houston, TX. Our exceptionally talented dentists, carefully examine your gums and teeth and run diagnostic scans to ensure you have periodontitis before recommending scaling and root planing. We take all measures necessary to protect your teeth and restore optimal oral health. Please schedule an appointment to explore your periodontal treatment options in Houston, TX.