What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing (SRP) is a nonsurgical procedure our team uses to treat periodontal (gum) disease that has progressed beyond the point of gingivitis. Caused by bacteria that live under the gums, the periodontitis stage of gum disease occurs when the bone and tissues that support the teeth begin to break down. To stop the disease from advancing and leading to tooth loss and additional oral issues, we perform SRP to remove plaque and tartar deposits from the teeth where destructive bacteria like to hide. SRP smooths the surfaces of the teeth to enable your gums to reattach to the root surfaces and reduce periodontal pocket depths. SRP from our skilled team at Made Ya Smile Dental can help by treating the active periodontal infection in your mouth and protecting your jaw from further bone loss. Symptoms, like bleeding and inflamed gums, bad breath, and a receding gumline, often indicate the presence of gum disease. Contact our Houston, TX team for a treatment consultation if these or other gum disease symptoms are affecting your smile.
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When Is Scaling and Root Planing Needed?
During your consultation, our team will evaluate your gum and bone health to learn if gum disease is affecting your health and smile. The disease process leads to gum inflammation and bone loss around the teeth. Our periodontist and team will take high-definition digital x-rays to determine if gum disease is impacting the bone supporting your teeth and measure the periodontal pockets (space) between your gums and teeth. If these measures fall over 3mm in depth and there is evidence of bone loss on your x-rays, our periodontist may recommend scaling and root planing to treat the infection. Signs and symptoms, like gums that bleeding when you brush or floss, tender or red gums, swelling of the gums, gum recession, and bad breath or malodor, often indicate the presence of gum disease. Diagnosing and treating gum disease in the periodontitis stage may prevent it from worsening to the advanced periodontitis stage. Patients with advanced periodontitis may need gum disease surgery to restore their oral health. To learn more about periodontal scaling and root planing near you, contact our team.
What Can I Expect With Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing in Houston, TX is a nonsurgical procedure, but we do numb the gum tissues to make your treatment as comfortable as possible. We can even discuss options for sedation dentistry if dental fear or anxiety is a concern of yours. Once your gums are numb and you are comfortable, our periodontist or one of our dental hygienists will use special ultrasonic and scaling instruments to rid the root surfaces of your teeth of the plaque and tartar deposits that harbor harmful bacteria. We will flush out your periodontal pockets and may place localized antibiotics to help control the growth of bacteria. SRP may be completed in one or more appointments, depending on the number of teeth in your mouth that are affected by gum disease. By working with our experienced periodontist and skilled hygiene team as early as possible, you can minimize bone loss and the spread of periodontal infection in your mouth.
Recovery After Scaling and Root Planing Therapy
During the recovery period following your SRP periodontal treatment for gum disease, it is important to avoid eating until the local anesthetic fully wears off. Your gums may be a little tender for a few days following your treatment, and you may experience some tooth sensitivity. Our team will offer tips on how to minimize any post-op discomfort following your root scraping. The goal of this treatment is to encourage your gums to reattach to the teeth and minimize the spaces or pockets where bacteria can hide and cause damage. To help keep these areas as clean as possible and keep bacteria and plaque accumulation to a minimum, we recommend brushing and flossing thoroughly each day. Our hygienists will show you the ideal methods to use to make your home care efforts as effective as possible. Following the completion of your SRP procedure, our periodontist may suggest that you maintain your treatment results with periodontal maintenance visits at 3 – 4-month intervals.
Is Scaling and Root Planing Covered by Insurance?
Depending on your dental insurance plan, a portion of your scaling and root planing procedure may be covered. Made Ya Smile Dental accepts most PPO plans and will submit your claim as a courtesy to you. Any out-of-pocket costs will be presented to you before starting your SRP procedure. To help make getting the care you need affordable, we accept third-party financing through CareCredit® along with several other convenient payment options.
Scaling and Root Planing FAQ
Will scaling and root planing hurt?
When you schedule periodontal scaling and root planing near you, it may be completed in multiple appointments. This makes sure that each area of the mouth is healed before moving to the next. A local anesthetic is utilized during this procedure, meaning that it won't hurt. But, you may experience soreness after the anesthetic has worn off.
What are some specific scaling and root planning home-care instructions to follow?
Some general home-care instructions to follow include only chewing food when you have a normal feeling in your mouth. You should also brush your teeth gently after your scaling and root planing in Houston, TX. You should also only eat soft foods for the first two to three days following your procedure.
What can you eat after root scraping?
A diet with soft foods is ideal after periodontal scaling and root planing in Houston, TX. This can include yogurt, soups, mashed potatoes, apple sauce, or similar foods. Contact our dental office if you have additional questions about what to eat after scaling and root planing.
Nonsurgical Gum Disease Treatment
Though there is no cure for gum disease, we can treat the condition and help you protect the future of your dental health and smile. Early diagnoses and treatment are key to minimizing the risk of bone loss in the jaw that leads to tooth loss. Made Ya Smile Dental offers nonsurgical scaling and root planing procedures to treat periodontitis and help prevent its progression to a more advanced state. Contact our friendly Houston, TX practice today to schedule a gum disease consultation with our experienced periodontist and learn more about treatment with scaling and root planing.
