Getting professional care to treat and manage gum disease is vital to your oral health and the quality of your smile. In order to treat the periodontics stage of gum disease, you require a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing (SRP).
If your dentist recommended SRP, you must prepare to make multiple visits to their office. Depending on the severity of your condition, especially if you have a receding gum line, you may be administered a local anesthetic.
When Do You Need This Procedure?
Your dentist would recommend SRP only after noticing signs of chronic periodontal disease in your mouth. This procedure can prevent the several ill effects of the condition and keep your mouth healthy.
Chronic periodontal disease happens when you allow plaque to develop on your teeth by improper brushing and flossing habits. The bacteria in the plaque will start to cause your gums to pull away from your teeth. It causes large openings to form between your gums and teeth, providing a breeding space for more bacteria to multiply in the compartments, which will be inaccessible with the toothbrush.
That’s why dentists recommend flossing each day to reach spots toothbrushes cannot. When left untreated, this disease can cause:
- Tooth loss
- Tissue and bone loss
- Loose teeth
- Shifting teeth
Nearly half of the Americans over the age of 30 get affected by chronic periodontal disease. This condition may arise because of:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Poor nutrition
- Smoking
- Aging
- Genetics
- Changes in hormones
- Other medical conditions
Symptoms that will be visible to you include:
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- A change in your bite
- Inflamed, tender, or red gums
- Shifting permanent teeth
What Happens During the Procedure?
The scaling and root planning in Rutherford College, Valdese, and Connelly Springs is conducted as an outpatient procedure. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require to schedule one or more appointments. The dentist may or may not use the local anesthetic. But if you have concerns, you can discuss them with the dentist.
The scaling involves scraping the plaque from your teeth and in any large pockets developed between your teeth and gums. After that, the dentist conducts the root planing to smooth the roots by using a scaling tool. That will help your gums to reattach to your teeth.
Your dentist may recommend additional treatment, depending on the health of your teeth and gums. Most dentists use traditional tools such as a scaler and a curette to perform scaling and root planing. But some use other instruments available to conduct the procedure in the form of lasers and ultrasonic devices.
The Advantages of Scaling and Root Planing:
Scaling and root planing is the best treatment available for chronic periodontal disease. This procedure can improve the gap between the pockets of the teeth and gums by 0.5 millimeters. Moreover, it can reduce the risk of experiencing bone, tooth, and tissue loss related to this condition.
The Bottom Line
There are minimal risks involved in this procedure. However, you may be susceptible to an infection for which your dentists may prescribe antibiotics or special mouthwash to use for a few days or weeks. The side effects will wear off within a few weeks, but if they don’t, you can always consult your dentist.