What is Scaling and Root Planing?
A lot goes on during your regular, six month dental appointments. Your dentist and dental hygienist work together to thoroughly clean your teeth, removing any plaque build-up and searching for any cavities or tooth decay you may have developed. But, what happens if your dentist discovers a true threat to your oral health through your visual exam or X-rays? At Gaston Dental Associates, we offer patients a deep cleaning procedure, also known as scaling and root planing, to help control gum disease.
According to a previous study by the American Dental Association, advanced gum disease (periodontitis that has surpassed gingivitis) affects almost 50% of American adults over the age of 30-years-old. If this kind of gum disease goes untreated, plaque will continue to build-up along your gum line and can eventually cause bone loss and/or tooth loss. At your regular visit with us, our dental experts can discover gum disease before this loss occurs, and use our scaling and root planing treatment to prevent your gum structure from declining further.
The scaling and root planing procedure consists of two parts. First, your dentist will give you a numbing agent to ensure you are comfortable as we use a tool to remove all of the plaque and tartar on your teeth. We will make sure to attend to the bacteria both above and below your gum line, all the way to the bottom of your gum pockets. Next, we will begin the root planing process, smoothing out your teeth’s roots so that your gums can easily settle back into their natural position. Depending on your level of build-up and damage, this procedure could take two appointments to complete.
If you have further questions, or believe you may be in need of a deep cleaning with us, call our front desk at 704-396-6166 today! A member of our team will be happy to talk more about our scaling and root planing procedures with you.