SCALING & ROOT PLANING
While proper at-home care is a must, it’s also extremely important for a patient to visit their dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and checkup. There are stubborn plaque and tartar that can build up at and even below the gumline. If this occurs, a dentist may need to perform a scaling and root planing procedure to get under the gums and clear away any plaque, tartar, and debris.
WHAT IS SCALING & ROOT PLANING?
A deep cleaning (also known as a “scaling and root planing”) is a procedure that involves a dentist using special tools to clean at and below the gumline of a patient to remove tartar, debris, and plaque. A scaling and root planing is very common for the treatment of gum disease, and can help to restore the health of the gums.
WHEN SHOULD I INQUIRE ABOUT SCALING & ROOT PLANING?
There are a few different symptoms of gum disease that you should look out for to see if it is time to visit your dentist for a scaling and root planing procedure. Some of the symptoms to look out for include:
- Bleeding Gums
- Inflamed Gums
- Discolored Gums
- Bad Breath
- Tenderness of the Gums
- Loose Teeth
- Receding Gums
If the gums are simply inflamed, discolored, and even bleeding, there is no need to panic. There is a good chance that the gum disease is still in the gingivitis phase. Once the gums begin to recede and the teeth become loose, though, the damage can become much more difficult to reverse.
Make sure to see a dentist about scaling and root planing as soon as you notice any of the symptoms listed above. The earlier the issue is cared for, the higher the likelihood of avoiding irreparable damage.
SCALING & ROOT PLANING PROCEDURE
The deep cleaning procedure begins with a trip to the dentist for them to diagnose your oral health issue. If you are experiencing the above symptoms, they will likely suggest scaling and root planing.
Your dentist will begin by providing a local anesthetic to reduce or eliminate pain and discomfort. They will then use special tools to remove plaque, tartar, and debris at and below the gumline. This is the scaling portion of the procedure. Your dentist will then perform a root planing, which is when your dentist smooths over the root of the tooth. This helps with gum reattaching.
While the procedure itself is relatively simple, it can also be time-consuming if the damage is more widespread or severe. Because of this, your dentist may break up the procedure into multiple visits. Some dentists perform deep cleanings of different quadrants, and may do multiple quadrants in one visit, and then other quadrants in a separate visit.
Speak with your dentist about your scaling and root planing procedure, and how many trips the procedure will likely take to complete.
SCALING & ROOT PLANING COST
The cost of a scaling and root planing procedure will vary greatly depending on how much work needs to be done, how severe the damage is, and many other factors. If it is simply a case of gingivitis, a basic deep cleaning may be all that is required. Even then, the gingivitis may be localized to one area of the mouth, or it may be in multiple quadrants. If the disease has spread and begun causing more damage, other procedures may be involved to repair the damaged bone tissue and gums.
To keep costs low, seek treatment as soon as you notice any symptoms of gum disease. Also, speak with your insurance company about coverage and finding a dentist in-network. If you are able to find an in-network dentist and you have good dental insurance, you may find that the cost is actually relatively low.
For more information about the costs associated with the procedure, speak with your dentist about an estimate.
AVOIDING GUM DISEASE
In order to avoid scaling and root planing, you’ll need to take great care of your oral health. This includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice a day, every day. It also includes visiting your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. It is during this checkup that your dentist.
can check for signs of gum disease. If they find gum disease, they can discuss the deep cleaning process with you in further detail.
SPEAK WITH YOUR DENTIST
If you notice your gums bleeding, receding, or experiencing any other issues, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist. This is especially so if you haven’t seen them in over six months. Your dentist will be able to perform an examination and determine the root cause of the issue. If they determine you have plaque, tartar, and/or debris below the gumline, they may recommend a scaling and root planing procedure.
Remember, it’s best to have a deep cleaning performed as soon as possible to prevent further recession (and even worse issues) from occurring.
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