Scaling and Root Planing
When periodontal disease has developed, which is a serious gum infection that damages the soft and hard tissue surrounding the teeth. It requires patients to be prudent about seeking treatment to avoid further loss of the soft tissues, bone, and teeth. At North Aurora Smiles in North Aurora, IL, patients can obtain the necessary treatment to not only prevent periodontal disease but effectively treat it. A specialized more thorough periodontal cleaning is often used when someone is diagnosed with a form of periodontal disease. It is often referred to as “scaling and root planing.”
Gingivitis is the precursor of periodontal disease. It can cause a host of problems that may be noticeable to the health of the teeth and gums. Gingivitis is characterized by:
- Bleeding gums
- Red, swollen gum tissue
- Persistent bad breath
- Shifting teeth
When gingivitis is left untreated it leads to periodontal disease where gum tissue and bone surrounding the teeth have been lost, resulting in deeper pockets. This is usually a result of bacteria that have chronically been residing in the pockets due to inadequate home oral hygiene techniques and/or not having the teeth professionally cleaned. Periodontal Disease is commonly treated with a scaling and root planing.
Scaling and root planing is performed by a dentist or dental hygienist to remove plaque, tartar, and calculus from the visible crown of the tooth and the tooth roots below the gums. This cleaning is often done with local anesthetic to ensure the patient’s comfort and combined with antibiotic treatments to address the infection at the source and help control the levels of bacteria present. The goal of periodontal treatment is to stabilize the gum health, reduce the pocket depths, and prevent further bone and tissue loss from occurring. It is one of the best and most effective ways of removing and reversing the infection that has developed.
Call Drs. Hammed Aziz and Stephanie Janes today
Patients of the North Aurora, IL area who believe they could benefit from scaling and root planing will want to schedule an appointment with the North Aurora Smiles team to find out more about this and other periodontal treatments. The office is located at 601 Randall Crossing Lane and services patients in the community. Call (630) 984-2223 to book a consultation visit and initial evaluation with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gum disease can significantly impact the appearance of your smile, but the consequences go far more profound. Gum infections can stress your immune system and lead to inflammatory disorders, causing pain, sensitivity, and tooth loss.
While avoiding periodontal disease is the best way to deal with it, numerous treatments are available to remove infections from your gums and keep them from recurrence. These treatments can range from a NON-surgical deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), laser gum therapy, or a surgical gum treatment.
Bleeding gums, red, inflamed gum tissue, persistent foul breath, and shifting teeth.
Patients diagnosed with periodontal disease most commonly require a complete periodontal cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. A dentist or dental hygienist performs scaling and root planing to remove tartar, plaque, and calculus from the visible crown of the tooth and the tooth roots behind the gums.
Using laser therapy to sterilize the pockets, encourage your gums to reattach to your tooth, and reinforce your enamel can improve the effectiveness of scaling and root planing.
