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ROOT PLANING AND SCALING
One of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it progresses and becomes more severe, is a procedure called root planing and scaling. By using the information gathered at a patient's COMPREHENSIVE EXAM, the dentist will diagnose if any gum disease is present and if the severity of it requires root planing and scaling treatment.
Areas under the gums that are more than 4mm in depth are called periodontal pockets, and are inaccessible for cleaning by the patient. Root planing and scaling is done to remove hard deposits (also known as tarter or calculus) and toxins that have accumulated on the root surfaces. Once the local irritants are removed and there is accompanying effort in excellent plaque control by the patient on a daily basis, there can be amazing healing by the body's own healing abilities.
We often use local anesthetic to numb the gums and root surfaces prior to treatment. Fortunately, there is another option besides an injection, called Oraquix, which is a gel local anesthetic applied under the gums. The majority of our patients walk out without numb lips and tongue and this makes scaling and root planning a much easier experience.
By using good home care and proper dental maintenance, the progression of gum disease can be stopped, returning the gums to health. Patients that have undergone scaling and root planing treatment are usually placed on a more frequent cleaning schedule. See HYGIENE RECALL.
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One of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it progresses and becomes more severe, is a procedure called root planing and scaling. By using the information gathered at a patient's COMPREHENSIVE EXAM, the dentist will diagnose if any gum disease is present and if the severity of it requires root planing and scaling treatment.
Areas under the gums that are more than 4mm in depth are called periodontal pockets, and are inaccessible for cleaning by the patient. Root planing and scaling is done to remove hard deposits (also known as tarter or calculus) and toxins that have accumulated on the root surfaces. Once the local irritants are removed and there is accompanying effort in excellent plaque control by the patient on a daily basis, there can be amazing healing by the body's own healing abilities.
We often use local anesthetic to numb the gums and root surfaces prior to treatment. Fortunately, there is another option besides an injection, called Oraquix, which is a gel local anesthetic applied under the gums. The majority of our patients walk out without numb lips and tongue and this makes scaling and root planning a much easier experience.
By using good home care and proper dental maintenance, the progression of gum disease can be stopped, returning the gums to health. Patients that have undergone scaling and root planing treatment are usually placed on a more frequent cleaning schedule. See HYGIENE RECALL.
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