Scaling & Root
PlaningScaling and
root planing
is one of the most effective ways to treat periodontal
disease. Normally,
scaling and root planing will be
spread over several appointments to keep you
more
comfortable, and it will allow us to check on the healing.
Before the
treatment you may be given local
anesthetic to numb the gum tissue and root
surfaces
of the teeth. Then with an ultrasonic
scaler or a fine hand instrument the plaque
and
tarter will be scaled from your teeth.
After the teeth
have been scaled, the root surfaces
of the teeth will be smoothed or planed so that your
gum tissue can reattach to your teeth during the
healing process.
Sometimes medications will be
placed in the pocket area after scaling and planing
to help control the infection and encourage healing.
Your gum tissue
cannot begin to heal until the source
of the infection has been removed.
