When your gum disease symptoms have aggravated beyond gingivitis (swollen gums), then it is time for you to talk to your dentist. You could be suffering from periodontitis. Periodontal disease is a severe disease of gums that affects bones, gums, and the surrounding tissue within the oral cavity. The condition affects people who do not follow strict oral hygiene, like brushing teeth twice a day and flossing. It occurs when the dental plaque is not removed entirely and hardens to tartar.
How Does Scaling And Rooting Help Periodontal Disease?
Scaling and rooting are procedures specifically designed to treat periodontitis, and the process involves the following steps:
- Administration of local anesthesia – Scaling and rooting can cause pain and bleed; hence your dentist would administer local anesthesia, termed a membrane-stabilizing drug. Local anesthesia is very commonly used in dental procedures which are mildly invasive. You remain completely conscious and alert all through the process.
- Scaling – In this, the plaque, calculus, and tartar are gently scaled away from the gum line and also deep inside the gum pocket formation by your dental hygienist. They could either do the scaling manually or use an ultrasonic instrument, for instance, a Calvitron. Both the techniques would loosen and remove plaque and hardened tartar.
- Root Planing – Teeth comprises four main components; cementum, dentin, dental pulp, and enamel. In people who suffer from periodontitis, the dentin or the cementum (or both) is damaged. In root planing, the dentist attempts to smoothen the rough surfaces and remove any remaining subgingival bacteria. In planing, the cementum (calcified film covering the tooth’s root) is completely removed. The gums are cleaned deep below to eliminate tartar and inbuilt plaque. If required, your dental surgeon may also remove a superficial layer of dentin (the second layer of teeth below the enamel).
- After the surgery – Once the surgery is over, the dentist would flush the area to remove any remaining bacteria. Then they would apply some pressure so that gum tissue can grow properly.
Advantages of Teeth Scaling
Scaling and root planing are deemed the gold standard for chronic periodontitis. This procedure diminishes the pockets that develop between your gum and teeth, which reduces the risk of bone, teeth, or tissue loss which usually happens with periodontal diseases.
Risks of Scaling and Planing
There are some minimal risks of the procedure as outlined below:
- Gums might bleed
- Gums can feel irritated
- Discomfort to the tooth, such as sensitivity to hot and cold
- Swelling around the treated area
- Development of allergies to some of the materials which are used in the treatment
- Mild throbbing and pain
- The area does not heal as expected
If you have been experiencing chronic periodontitis, scaling and root planing is a necessary treatment for you to decide on after consultation with your dental hygienist. After the area has been treated, you must practice good oral hygiene. You may experience pain and swell for a day or two, and the area might be prone to infection in the initial days. Your dentist would prescribe you certain pills or mouth rinse, so do administer them to keep further complications from happening.
Book an Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.