09 Feb 2023 An adult only has one permanent set of teeth, and it is a very obvious thing that no one wants to lose them due to any kind of oral disease. If you have developed any kind of gum disease, then, in that case, tooth scaling and root planing would help in order to save your teeth.
If you end up developing severe gum disease and gingivitis then in that case you would require tooth scaling and root planing in order to remove the accumulated tartar and treat those inflamed gums. The deep cleaning procedures help in chipping off the tartar that gets hardened on the surfaces of your teeth and roots. Whenever you are suffering from gum diseases, during that case the treatments would help in protecting your smile and also helps in the prevention of teeth loss and gums and bone.
Before moving forward let us discuss what is root scaling and root planning.
What Are Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?
Both scaling and root planing is known as deep cleaning in the world of dentistry. This procedure is performed in order to get rid of tartar which is the hardened material that can otherwise adhere your teeth. These treatments are performed if you are suffering from periodontitis which is an advanced gum disease.
Tooth scaling is performed in order to remove the tartar from the surface of your teeth, which gets accumulated due to various reasons. The treatment of root planing helps in the removal of tartar from the roots of the teeth below the gum line.
Tooth Scaling And Root Planing Is Performed By Whom?
Both root planing and tooth scaling are performed by dentists and periodontitis who are also known as gum disease specialists. The procedure is usually performed by a dental hygienist. Both tooth scaling and root planing takes place during the same visit to the dentist. In this case you would require more than one appointment in order to treat all your teeth.
Who Requires Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?
As you get older you end up developing higher chances of periodontitis, and it seen that nearly 5 in 6 adults face from this.
What Are The Risk Factors For Periodontitis?
Diabetes or blood sugar, family history of gum disease, different health conditions like heart disease, arthritis, hormonal changes, improperly fitted dental bridges or defective dental fillings, overbite or crooked teeth, poor oral hygiene, smoking and stress.
What Occurs Before Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?
Just like tooth pain or cavities periodontal disease does not usually ends up causing pain. You might get diagnosed by your dentist with periodontitis during your dental check-up. Not just that if you are suffering from several other dental problems like cavities, abscessed teeth or bone loss then in that case too your dentist might also ask you to get dental X-rays done.
If you are having periodontitis then in that case your provider will discuss the treatments options with you. Tooth scaling and root planing would take place during a future appointment.
What Should You Expect From A Tooth Scaling And Root Planing Treatment?
The deep dental cleaning is performed below your gum line in order to completely remove the tartar from your teeth, and this also includes the roots to. In order to minimize any kind of discomfort or pain your provider is going to numb your mouth with the local anesthetic, and you are awake after the procedure is completed.
What Happens During The Tooth Scaling Process?
During the process of tooth scaling your dentist would use a vibrating tool which is called an ultrasonic scaler in order to perform the scaling process. Following steps might take place during the process of tooth scaling. The vibrating metal tip on the scaler chips the tartar off the teeth that is located above the gum line. Then a water spray is used in order to wash away the tartar and also flushes plaque that might have accumulated in the gum pockets.
Your provider uses a manual dental scaler and scraping device in order to remove small remaining pieces of tartar.
What Happens During Root Planing?
Root planing is almost same like tooth scaling the only difference is it takes place on the roots of your teeth that is located below your gum lines.
During the process of root planing your provider, would use a tool in order to gently push aside your gum tissues and doing this would expose the surface of the roots. Using the same tooth scaling tools for chipping the tartar from the roots helps in making them smooth. At times they might also inject an antibiotic medication directly in any of the gum pockets.
What Happens After Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?
After the process of tooth scaling and root planing, the bacteria and plaque becomes likely to stick on the smooth surfaces of your treated teeth. The inflammation tends to decrease when your gums heal. Those healthy gums tends to reattach more firmly to those smoothed tooth roots.
During those follow-up appointments, your provider would measure those pockets that are surrounding your gum tissues. If the pockets have not decreased then in that case you might require a periodontal surgery. The surgical treatments for periodontitis includes:
Bone grafting in order to replace the lost bone with bone from a donor or lab-made material.
Flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery) to make a gum pocket smaller by lowering your gum line.
Soft tissue grafting to replace lost gum tissue with tissue from the roof of your mouth (palate) or a donor.
How Many Dental Appointments Is Required For Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?
The accurate number of dental appointments that you require for scaling and planning solely depends upon how severe your conditions are.
Some providers treat one side of the mouth (both upper and lower teeth) in one visit. You’ll need a second visit to treat the other side of your mouth.
There are some providers who treat each mouth quadrant separately instead. For instance, they scale and plane only the lower right side of your mouth. And during your next appointment, they might treat the upper right side of your mouth. With this treatment approach, you’ll need four appointments.
How Long Does It Take For Gums To Heal After Scaling And Root Planing?
After the process of scaling and root planing is done, you might experience a little amount of discomfort around your teeth for few days, and might also feel an increased amount of sensitivity to hot and cold things. This might even drag up to four to six weeks of duration. There is no need to worry during this time, as because this is the normal course of healing period.
What Are The Benefits Of Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?
There are studies which have shown that tooth scaling and root planing are the effective treatments for periodontitis. And doing this can keep you from losing your gum tissue, teeth and bones.
How Many Times Do You Require Scaling And Root Planing?
There are many periodontists who recommend performing scaling and root planing for twice a year or even more and this solely depends upon how severe the condition of your gum disease is. In fact, there are some patients who would require it for every 3-4 months.
What Are The Risks Of Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?
Both Tooth scaling and root planing can end up causing a temporary amount of discomfort for a while when you are healing. But the overall risks are minimal. People who suffer from certain heart conditions, like endocarditis, or who have synthetic heart valves might need to take antibiotics before they are getting any dental procedures done for themselves. Antibiotics help in lowering your risk of a bacterial infection.
What Are The Risks Of Root Planing And Scaling?
There are a few risks that are related to root planing and scaling as Root planing and scaling can eventually end up allowing harmful bacteria to enter your bloodstream. The tissue of the gums could also become at risk for infection. Hence in this case your dentist might ask you to take antibiotics before and after surgery if you have a condition that might place you at high risk for a severe infection or if an infection could be dangerous in the future.
What Does Recovery Look Like After Tooth Scaling And Root Planing?
Your gums might be temporarily swollen and tender after the procedure has taken place. You may also have some teeth sensitivity too. You should follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for a speedy and healthy recovery.
What You Should Do?
Some things which you need to do after scaling and root planing are:
#1. You need to cut off foods and drinks which are either too hot or too cold.
#2. Pump up your day with soft foods.
#3. Use an antimicrobial mouthwash.