Periodontal scaling and root planing is a common dental procedure for treating periodontitis and other gum-related diseases like infection or inflammation. If left untreated, these can lead to bad breath and other complications. Nonetheless, about four out of ten US adults aged over 30 have symptoms of mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis. Many of them are from Tennessee.
If you are also from Tennessee and seeking a permanent solution for oral problems like periodontitis, then a Dental clinic Memphis, TN, can be your savior. They can provide effective and long-lasting solutions for various dental issues, including periodontitis.
Who needs periodontal scaling and root planing?
Periodontitis is usually caused due to plaque forming on your teeth. It happens when the bacteria build up on your teeth and later transform into tartar or dental calculus. The film of bacteria or tartar stretches your gums away from the teeth and creates pockets where your toothbrush cannot reach.
Following are some of the most common signs that you might have periodontitis.
- Puffy and swollen gums with reddish or dark purple colorization.
- Feeling tenderness in gums
- Bleeding in gums and blood on your toothbrush
- Bleeding in gums when flossing the teeth
- A bad breath
- Loose teeth and loss of teeth with pus in gums
- Experiencing pain while chewing
- Spaces between teeth that look like black triangles
- Pulled away gums that make your teeth appear longer
- Understanding the procedure
If you or someone you know experiences one or more of the symptoms listed above, then you might be having periodontitis or some other dental problem that may require periodontal scaling and root planing. You must consider visiting a nearby dentist as early as possible to prevent the problem from spreading further.
Care after periodontal scaling and root planing
Periodontal scaling and root planing are non-surgical procedures intended to provide deep cleaning of teeth and gums with ultrasonic devices and handheld instruments.
During the procedure, your dentist will give you topical or local anesthetic and numb the affected area. The dentist will then scrape all the plaque and tartar above and below your gumline deep down to the periodontal pocket. Once the plaque is removed, the dentist will smooth out or plane the rough surface on the roots of your tooth to enable the gums to reattach with your teeth.
Depending on your condition and the extent of plaque formed, you may experience the following symptoms.
- Deeper regions under the gums are targeted during periodontal scaling and root planing, which is why it can cause discomfort and soreness.
- You may experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold food items and occasional bleeding.
- The doctor will usually prescribe over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, but in some cases, a stronger painkiller may be prescribed to alleviate pain and discomfort.
- You may be advised not to brush or floss for a few days to avoid aggravation of bruised or tender gum.
- Your dentist may recommend rinsing your mouth with chlorhexidine or salt water as an alternative to regular mouth cleaning options like brushing and flossing.
Surgical treatment for gum diseases
Dentists can also resort to different surgical methods in some cases of severe periodontitis. Common surgeries are as follows.
- Removing some tissue from the roof of your mouth and attaching it to the affected areas, known as soft tissue grafting
- Pocket reduction surgery to lift gum tissues for better scaling and root planing
- In some cases, bone grafting may be required to rebuild the damaged jawbone surrounding your teeth.
- Dentists may recommend using a tissue-stimulating protein gel to stimulate tissue and bone growth.
- If the gap between bone and teeth is very deep, a biocompatible material may be placed in the pocket to promote bone growth.
It is evident by now that periodontal scaling and root planing is a common but essential procedure that can help individuals suffering from periodontitis and other gum-related problems. However, you must consult an experienced and skilled dentist, as improper procedures can ruin your oral health.
