Scaling and Root Planing (Periodontal Treatment for Gum Disease) – Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington, TX

If you have developed signs of periodontal (gum) disease, a normal cleaning may not be adequate enough. The first stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis, is commonly corrected with scaling and root planing (SRP). This is a noninvasive procedure to help eliminate gingivitis by removing built-up tartar and plaque from the below the gumline. With specific instruments, a scaling and root planing treatment in Ah! Dentistry cleans the gum pockets, then smoothes the surface of your teeth to avoid further buildup. If you’re worried about your gums, find out more about SRP treatments at Ah! Dentistry at one of our three facilities in the DFW area.

At your dental examination, we will measure how deep your gum pockets are. In the event your gum pockets, also called sulcus, are more than three millimeters, then a scaling and root planing therapy might be recommended. SRP will help to decrease the size of the gum pockets so bacteria and plaque can’t accumulate in this region, which contributes to the initial phase of periodontal disease (gingivitis). A number of the early signs of gingivitis are chronic bad breath, in addition to gums that are bleed easily, are tender, swollen, look red, or are starting to recede. When gingivitis is discovered in the early stages, one or more scaling and root planing procedures can eliminate signs, but when periodontal disease has reached later phases (regular or advanced periodontitis), then you might need more comprehensive procedures.

SRP is a deep cleaning that may be done in our office using local anesthesia on the areas of your mouth being addressed. We might also suggest sedation methods if you are feeling worried about having SRP. We will utilize a scaling tool to clean the tartar and plaque below the gumline. We will also subsequently plane or smooth the surface of the enamel to decrease the number of regions where tartar and plaque may get caught in to avoid future problems.

Following your SRP therapy, you might notice greater tooth and gum sensitivity, in addition to some tingling from the local anesthesia. We can write a prescription for antibiotics that will help remove any residual bacteria from the gums. You should stick to a good oral hygiene regimen in your home, such as daily flossing and brushing, to keep your gums and teeth healthy and clean. You also need to schedule yearly dental examinations so we can evaluate the health of your teeth and gums, as well as bi-annual visits to get your teeth cleaned. Based upon the initial state of your mouth and your own home care following an SRP therapy, you might need two or three more scaling and root planing procedures to completely restore your mouth.

SRP is a very common procedure for treating gum disease that’s normally paid for in part by dental insurance. A member of our team will get in touch with your provider to ascertain your policy and individual expenses. If you don’t have dental insurance, then Ah! Dentistry takes several payments, including low-interest financing, which may be talked about in your appointment.