Deep Scaling and Root Planing
Dental checkups and cleaning are very important.
At Family Dentistry of Upper Marlboro we are pleased to provide high-quality treatment for gum disease to help return your smile to good health. Gum disease is an infection caused by bacteria in plaque which builds up on the teeth when they are not properly cleaned. The infection in early stages is called gingivitis and it is reversible. In more advanced stage it is referred to as periodontitis.
A patient with gingivitis usually has gums that are red, tender, bleeding, and swollen. Patients with periodontitis will have all the same symptoms as gingivitis but will also have gum recession and their Xray’s will also show bone loss around the teeth. Dental cleanings and better home care can reverse the effects of gingivitis. However, periodontitis requires scaling and root planing, also known as deep cleaning.
The process of treating gum disease usually starts after performing a full mouth debridement. We measure the depth of gingival pocketing around all present teeth. After numbing the area, we use ultrasonic instruments and periodontal scalers and curettes to remove of Plaque And calculus from the tooth and roots. We also smooth or plane root surface removing any infected layer on the root surface which may continue to cause gum irritation. We will usually prescribe Chlorhexidine mouthwash to reduce the swelling of the gums.
Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that requires cleaning more often than twice a year. Following scaling a root planing, we usually require patient to return in one month and then at 3 month for periodontal maintenance cleanings. Based on our evaluation at 3 month, we will suggest which re-care interval is best for you: every 3 months, 4 months, or 6 months.
