Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning below the gum line to prevent or treat gum disease. The objective of these non-surgical procedures is to remove dental plaque and tartar, or calculus, which causes inflammation. This treatment is used as a preventive measure to help eradicate the impact of the disease. They are commonly performed on cases of gingivitis and moderate to severe periodontal disease.

What do the procedures entail?
Dr. Rai will only perform scaling and root planning after a thorough examination of your mouth. Depending on the severity of the condition of your gums, the amount of tartar in your gums, the depth of the pockets, and the progression of the periodontitis, Dr. Rai may recommend getting a scaling and root planning treatment done.

Scaling:
Scaling is performed by removing the calculus and plaque that sticks to the tooth surfaces below the gum line. an ultrasonic dental tool is used in the scaling procedure, which includes an irrigation process that is used to deliver an antimicrobial agent below the gums to help reduce oral bacteria.

Root Planing:
Root planing procedure is performed to remove cementum and surface dentin that has settled tartar on the root. The procedure requires to literally smoothen the root, which promotes healing and prevents bacteria from colonizing on the gums & roots in the future.

Benefits of Treatment
Scaling and planning have many periodontal benefits. It helps prevent the reoccurrence of the disease. Scaling and root planning removes the bacteria from the root which can travel through the bloodstream and can affect other body parts. In the worst case, periodontal infections can sometimes cause heart and respiratory diseases as well.

Scaling & root planning protects against tooth loss. When gum pockets exceed 3mm deep, you are at a higher risk of periodontal disease, which means more bacteria will colonize, and eventually causing chronic inflammatory pain that may destroy gingivally and bone tissue, or even worse, you may lose your tooth to this condition.

Finally, this healing procedure helps regain your smile back, helps reduce bad breath and removes bacteria causing the oral cavity. Superficial stains on the teeth are also removed, adding an extra lustre to your teeth.