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Deep Teeth Cleaning Peterborough ON

Scaling and Root Planing

In periodontal disease, swollen unhealthy gums start to pull away from the teeth because of pockets where infection-causing plaque and tartar accumulate. During a scaling part of the treatment, the dentist or hygienist removes plaque, tartar and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and tooth roots. This is done with either hand tools or electronic instruments, or a combination of both.

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If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend that scaling and root planing, along with periodontal maintenance checkups, become part of your routine dental visits, just like your cleanings and exams.

While scaling and root planing cannot cure periodontal disease, it can slow or stop its progression. The point of this procedure is to remove the bacteria-filled plaque and tartar that inflame your gums and the surrounding bone. Scaling and root planing can reduce the need for surgical intervention in the future and often helps swollen bleeding gums become healthy and pink again.

What Is Scaling and Root Planing?

Scaling and root planing is the gold standard of treatment for patients diagnosed with gum disease (i.e. periodontitis). This procedure is sometimes referred to as “deep cleaning” or simply “periodontal therapy”. If you have periodontitis that is at risk of getting worse, the dentist may recommend scaling and root planing to keep your gum disease from advancing. However, you should know that this is not a procedure that you can just undergo once then forget about it. We may recommend that you continue to come in for scaling and root planing as necessary to keep your mouth as healthy as possible despite your condition.

Procedure Overview

The handheld instruments used are a scaler and a curette. Both of these tools look a little like a metal chopstick with a sharp, curved tip. You’ve seen them before if you’ve had a regular dental cleaning. By gently scraping the tool along your tooth below the gum line, the dentist can find areas of tartar and plaque buildup.

Electronic scalers use ultrasonic vibration to remove plaque and tartar. The vibrating metal tip of the tool can chip away tartar and an accompanying water spray washes away the debris as it’s removed. This water spray also keeps the tip of the tool nice and cool.

In the root planing part of the treatment, the dentist or hygienist smoothes the surface of the tooth root to make it harder for bacteria to stick in the future and easier for the gums to re-attach. This is done with the same tools mentioned above but with a focus on making rough spots smooth again. Once the root planing is finished, the dentist may apply a disinfectant or antibiotics to further discourage the return of bacteria.

If you’ve ever been poked in the gums by accident, you know how sensitive they can be, especially if they’re already swollen from periodontitis. Before starting the scaling and root planing treatment we will numb your gums so that you won’t have any pain or discomfort while we’re working. Typically, only one or two quadrants of a patient’s mouth are treated at a time. That way we only need to numb one side of the mouth, so you’ll still be able to eat and drink fairly normally following your appointment as the anaesthesia starts to fade.

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Scaling and Root Planing in Peterborough FAQs

What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is a dental procedure considered the “gold standard” treatment for patients diagnosed with gum disease (periodontitis). It’s sometimes referred to as “deep cleaning” or “periodontal therapy.”
Why is scaling and root planing necessary?
In periodontal disease, swollen gums pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where infection-causing plaque and tartar accumulate. This procedure removes the bacteria-filled plaque and tartar that inflame your gums and the surrounding bone.
What happens during the “scaling” part of the treatment?
During scaling, the dentist or hygienist removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and tooth roots. This can be done using hand tools, electronic instruments, or a combination of both. Electronic scalers use ultrasonic vibration and a water spray to chip away and wash away debris.
What happens during the “root planing” part of the treatment?
In the root planing part, the dentist or hygienist smooths the surface of the tooth root. This makes it harder for bacteria to stick in the future and easier for the gums to re-attach to the tooth.
Can scaling and root planing cure gum disease?
While scaling and root planing cannot cure periodontal disease, it can significantly slow or stop its progression. It aims to reduce the need for future surgical intervention and often helps swollen, bleeding gums become healthy and pink again.
Is scaling and root planing a one-time procedure?
No, it is not typically a one-time procedure. If you have periodontitis at risk of worsening, your dentist may recommend ongoing scaling and root planing as necessary to maintain your oral health.
Will the procedure be painful?
Before starting the scaling and root planing treatment, your gums will be numbed to ensure you don’t experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
How many appointments are usually needed for scaling and root planing?
Typically, only one or two quadrants of a patient’s mouth are treated at a time. This allows for numbing only one side of the mouth, so you can still eat and drink fairly normally as the anesthesia fades.