What is Scaling and Root Planing?

Periodontal Disease or as many people know it, gum disease, has affected millions of Americans, and many people don’t even know they have it. That’s why it’s important to visit Dr. Zimmerman, every six months even if you think your mouth feels great, because you never know what is lurking. If you do have Periodontal Disease, we may recommend scaling and root planing as a course of action.

What is scaling and root planing?

This non-surgical treatment is used to treat Periodontal  Disease by deep cleaning the tooth, gums and tooth roots below the gumline. If someone has a more advanced form of Periodontal Disease, this procedure may often be the first treatment we consider.

What should I expect from treatment?

Sometimes getting scaling and root planing may take more than one visit to complete. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you experience a pain-free and easy treatment.

Once the area is numb, we will use special instruments to deep clean plaque, bacteria and tartar from the tooth, gums and roots of the tooth. The deep cleaning is the scaling part of the treatment. For the root planing part, we will then smooth down the rough surfaces of the roots so they are less likely to attract tartar and plaque buildup.

What will happen after the procedure?

You will need a follow-up visit with us to make sure that your gums are healing properly. Over time you will start to notice that red or swollen gums will become pink and healthy again. You may also notice less bleeding. If your gums are looking healthy then we may not need further treatment.

However, more advanced Periodontal Disease cases may require surgery if scaling and root planing isn’t enough to reduce tartar buildup. This is why the follow-up visit is vitally important to evaluate that your oral health has improved.

If you are long overdue for a dental cleaning then it’s time to get back to 127 Court Street Woodland, CA! dental office. What are you waiting for? Your oral health depends on it. Give Dr. Zimmerman a call  and protect yourself from Periodontal Disease and other dental issues today.