Scaling and Root Planing in Elizabeth, NJ

Gum disease is caused by the buildup of a bacteria called plaque. Plaque is constantly forming over your teeth, and it can normally be controlled with regular oral health maintenance, including brushing, flossing, and professional cleaning sessions. When you are not constantly brushing and disrupting the buildup of plaque, however, it can cause the surrounding gum tissue to become inflamed and pull back from the teeth. This creates spaces called pockets, which give the plaque somewhere to get trapped into.

A study conducted by the American Dental Association found that one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease is by utilizing scaling and root planing. This deep cleaning procedure involves scaling your gums for plaque and tartar and then performing root planing, which helps heal the affected area. To better understand who makes a good candidate for scaling and root planing and what the process entails, Elizbeth Oral Surgery Group is here to help answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. 

What Is Scaling and Root Planing Used to Treat? 

Gingivitis is the lowest level of gum disease, which is caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) along the teeth and in the pockets of the gum. Gingivitis is treatable with a professional cleaning and can be easily monitored and restored. When left untreated, gingivitis will get worse and may result in periodontitis, which is a more aggressive and serious version of the gum disease. At this point, the disease can spread to your jawbone and result in weakened foundations for your teeth. Side effects can include tooth infections, lost teeth, and even the shifting of your teeth and sinuses. 

Chronic periodontitis affects almost 50% of adults over the age of 30 in the United States and requires multiple deep cleanings to fully heal and recover from. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure used to treat gum disease that has progressed past gingivitis and requires more than a professional cleaning by a dentist. 

Scaling and root planing may also be done in conjunction with other procedures, depending on the severity of your condition. This can include extraction, dental implant, gum contouring, sinus augmentation, bone grafting, or more. 

Understanding the Scaling and Root Planing Process

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical deep cleaning. To better understand the process, we’ve broken down the individual steps:

Scaling

When plaque has sat untreated, it hardens and turns into tartar, which can be difficult to remove. Scaling is the process of removing all of the hardened tartar and plaque, including from the tops of the gums, the bottoms, and inside the pockets. This is meant to directly target the inflation of your gums and encourage healing.  

Although scaling and root planing is a non-surgical form of treatment, your oral surgeon will still use a local numbing agent or anesthetic to help reduce any discomfort. Curved instruments called scalers and curettes will be used to fit perfectly between the teeth and gums and reach any hard-to-reach areas of infection or inflammation. 

Root Planing

Root planing is the process of smoothing out your teeth’s roots to help encourage your gums to reattach to your teeth. The entire process is typically divided into four sections: upper right and left, and lower right and left. It’s not uncommon for the procedure to take more than one visit and a follow-up appointment to check on the progress of your gums. 

Your oral surgeon in Elizabeth, NJ will possibly require you to schedule multiple professional cleaning appointments after your scaling and root planing to ensure good oral health is maintained and that the gum disease does not return. A mouth rinse and pills may also be prescribed to help with any discomfort and prevent infection. With proper brushing and flossing, the scaling and root planing can permanently rid your mouth of chronic periodontitis.

Interested in Scaling and Root Planing? An Elizabeth, NJ Oral Surgeon Can Help Today

The longer you let your gum disease go untreated, the more likely you are to experience the loss of natural tooth functionality. It’s imperative to reach out to a qualified oral surgeon as soon as possible to receive a professional examination and set up a treatment plan. Scaling and root planing has been found to be a highly successful, fairly painless, and cost-effective way to treat chronic periodontitis and we would love to discuss your options with you today. 

Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group offers a state-of-the-art facility and doctors who have been trained in the skill of minimally-invasive surgery. We have proudly served the Elizabeth, New Jersey community for many years now and are here to give you the smile you have always wanted. To see how we can best be of service to you, give our Elizabeth office a call at (908) 774-8196 or use our online contact form to schedule an appointment.