Root Planing and Scaling Treatment

If you have built up plaque and bacteria beneath your gum line, you may be a good candidate for a deep cleaning procedure, also known as root planing and scaling. Root planing and scaling allows dentists to clean the roots of the teeth; this restorative dentistry procedure can improve the overall health of your mouth. At Staten Island Aesthetic & Implant Dentist, Dr. Alex Hecht and Dr. Jason Hecht perform the root planing and scaling procedure using local anesthesia, so you remain comfortable throughout treatment. If you are especially nervous about treatment, we may also administer nitrous oxide or prescribe medication to reduce your anxiety. To find out if you are a candidate for root planing and scaling, contact our Staten Island practice today.

Root Planing and Scaling and Gum Disease

Root planing and scaling may be recommended if you suffer from gum disease. As plaque builds up below the gum line, it attracts bacteria. The bacteria release toxins that gradually eat away at the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. As the condition progresses, the gums pull away from the teeth and no longer offer sufficient support for the teeth. To treat this condition, patients can undergo root planing and scaling. If gum disease is severe, root planing and scaling may be paired with other periodontal treatments.

The Root Planing and Scaling Procedure

To begin the root scaling and planing procedure, we will numb the teeth and gums with a local anesthetic. We may break up treatment into separate appointments. For example, we may focus on the upper and lower teeth on one side of the face during each appointment, or we may treat a single quadrant of the mouth during each appointment.

Once the treatment area is numb, we will use dental lasers and water pressure to remove plaque and bacteria from the gum line and beneath the gums. This is known as the planing portion of the procedure.

Once the tooth roots are clean, we will perform the scaling portion of treatment, in which special instruments are used to smooth the surface of the tooth roots. If the tooth roots have any rough patches, it makes it easier for plaque and bacteria to accumulate. By smoothing these rough patches, patients are more likely to maintain oral health.

Root Planing and Scaling Benefits

Root planing and scaling offers a number of benefits to patients. It:

• Effectively treats gum disease
• Encourages the gums to regenerate and fit snugly against the teeth
• Reduces chronic bad breath, or halitosis
• Minimizes the discomfort and inflammation that results from gum disease
• Improves overall health, as gum disease is linked to heart problems
• Improves dental appearance
• Prevents the need for tooth extraction
• Prevents the need for more aggressive dental treatment, such as periodontal surgery and dental implants

To maintain good oral health after root planing and scaling, patients must commit to brushing the teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist every six months. If patients do not take care of their teeth and gums, gum disease can develop again.

To schedule an appointment with us, contact Staten Island Aesthetic & Implant Dentist today.