Scaling & Root Planing In Tallahassee, FL

We try our best to ensure our teeth and gums stay in great shape and free of bacteria and plaque. Brushing and flossing can only do so much, so we must rely on our local dentist for routine cleanings to ensure we don’t develop periodontal disease. Periodontal / gum disease can be a serious issue if left untreated. However, even if you develop gum disease, it doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Your local dentist at Blissful Dental Spa can help with a treatment known as scaling and root planing Scaling and root planing can help correct gum disease and give you a smile you want and deserve.

What is Scaling and Root Planing?

Scaling and root planing is a more advanced form of dental cleaning, often called a “deep cleaning,” typically performed if a patient shows signs of advancing periodontal disease. Gum disease is primarily caused by bacteria and debris at the base of the teeth, along the gum line, and in the gum pockets. It can be difficult to correct gum disease without a thorough cleaning, so this is often the dentist’s first choice when fighting gum disease before resorting to more drastic treatments.

The process begins with the dentist using dental instruments to clean all the plaque and debris above the gum line. Dentists can sometimes do this with a laser as well. The dentist then moves to clean below the gum line and into the pocket of the gums to clean out any debris and plaque that has built up in the usually unreachable spaces.

Once the scaling process is complete, the dentist begins the root planing portion of the process, which involves reattaching the gums to the roots of the teeth so that the gums reform properly after the scaling process. The deep cleaning can take a couple of hours, and there will be some minor discomfort, but patients with gum disease will see a major difference in the sensitivity and inflammation they are dealing with.