South Beverly Drive, Suite 160
Scaling
Root Planing
Root planing is performed in order to remove the infected tooth surfaces (cementum and surface dentin) that are embedded with unwanted microorganisms, toxins and tartar. The root of the tooth is literally smoothed, or planed, which promotes healing and also helps prevent bacteria from easily colonizing in the future.
Antibiotics or irrigation with anti-microbials (chemical agents or mouth rinses) may be recommended to help control the growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause periodontitis. In some cases, Dr. Madison may place locally administered antibiotics (Arestin) in the periodontal pockets after scaling and root planing. This may be done to control infection and to encourage normal healing. When deep pockets between teeth and gums are present, it is difficult to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar. Patients can seldom, if ever, keep these pockets clean and free of plaque. Consequently, if after scaling and root planing, there still remain residual pockets, surgery may be necessary to restore periodontal health.
Benefits of Treatment
Scaling and root planing has many benefits. Besides restoring the health of the teeth, research has shown that bacteria from periodontal infections can enter the body through the infected gum lining and then travel through the bloodstream and affect other areas of the body, sometimes causing heart and respiratory diseases. Scaling and root planing removes bacteria that may cause or contribute to these conditions.
Another benefit of treatment is protecting teeth against bone loss. When gum pockets exceed 3mm in depth, the risk for periodontal disease increases. As pockets deepen, more bacteria are able to colonize, eventually causing a chronic inflammatory response by the body to destroy gingiva and bone tissue. This leads to tooth loss.