Scaling & Root Planing
At Dr. Todd Jones Periodontics and Implant Dentistry in Victoria, our periodontist offers scaling and root planing to help restore your oral health and get you smiling again.
What are Scaling and Root Planing?
At Dr. Todd Jones Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we use scaling and root planing to remove etiologic agents which cause inflammation to the gingival (gum) tissue and surrounding bone. Common etiologic agents removed by this conventional periodontal therapy include dental plaque and tartar (calculus).
These non-surgical procedures which completely cleanse the periodontium, work very effectively for individuals suffering from gingivitis (mild gum inflammation) and moderate/severe periodontal disease.
Prevent Disease & Decay
Lung infections and heart disease have been linked to periodontal bacteria. Scaling and root planing remove bacteria and halt periodontal disease from progressing, preventing the bacteria from traveling to other parts of the body.
When gum pockets exceed 3mm in depth, there is a greater risk of periodontal disease. As pockets deepen, they tend to house more colonies of dangerous bacteria. Eventually, a chronic inflammatory response by the body begins to destroy gingival and bone tissue which may lead to tooth loss.
Improve Your Smile
Scaling and root planing help remove tartar and plaque from the teeth and below the gumline. As an added bonus, if superficial stains are present on the teeth, they will be removed in the process of the scaling and root planing procedure.
One of the most common signs of periodontal disease is bad breath. Food particles and bacteria can cause a persistent bad odor in the oral cavity which is alleviated with cleaning procedures such as scaling and root planing.
Scaling
This procedure is usually performed with special dental instruments and may include an ultrasonic scaling tool. The scaling tool removes calculus and plaque from the surface of the crown and root surfaces. In many cases, the scaling tool includes an irrigation process that can also be used to deliver an antimicrobial agent below the gums that can help reduce oral bacteria.
Root Planing
This procedure is a specific treatment which serves to remove cementum and surface dentin that is embedded with unwanted micro-organisms, toxins and tartar. The root of the tooth is literally smoothed in order to promote good healing. Having clean, smooth root surfaces helps keep bacteria from easily colonizing in the future.