Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and Root Planing, Gum Treatment, and Deep Cleaning are all terms that are commonly used to describe a type of dental procedure used to treat periodontal disease.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. You may have it and not even know it. There are no early warning signs, except for occasional bleeding and redness around the gums when brushing, and mouth odor. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms becomes more obvious. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to loosening of teeth, receding gums, and gum discomfort.
What causes periodontal disease?
Bacteria are the primary cause of periodontal infection. Bacteria form in plaque, which is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms over the teeth and destroys bone. Plaque that is not removed by regular brushing and flossing hardens into tartar over time. You cannot remove tartar (or calculus) on your own. The only way to remove tartar is by a procedure called scaling, which is done by a dentist or dental hygienist.
What are the stages of periodontal disease?
Stage 1. Gingivitis
In this early stage, your gums may look normal but they also may be red, puffy, and bleed easily when you brush your teeth. You also may notice some mouth odor. This is because bacteria in plaque have caused infection.
Stage 2. Slight Periodontitis
Slight periodontitis occurs when the bacterial infection spreads from the gum to the bone that supports the teeth. The bacteria then cause small spaces, or crevices, to form between the gums. These crevices are called pockets. They are deeper than normal spaces, which measure 1 to 3 mm deep. Bacteria in the pocket also can destroy some bone. As the pocket grows and the amount of bacteria increases, the gums recede down the root of the tooth, increasing the pocket depth. Your dentist measures how deep you pocket is with an instrument called a periodontal probe, which is placed in the gum crevice.
Stage 3. Moderate Periodontitis
When the gum has crept further down the root, it is called moderate periodontitis. In this stage, up to half of your bone has been lost.
Stage 4. Severe Periodontitis
When half or more of the original bone holding the tooth has been lost, and pockets are very deep, it is called advanced periodontitis. The tooth may appear longer because the root is exposed, and the tooth may loosen and eventually fall out, or have to be removed by your dentist.
What you and your dentist can do to treat and prevent periodontitis
Periodontal diseases may be prevented if you brush and floss every day to remove bacterial plaque and get regular dental checkups.
If you do have periodontal disease, your dentist or dental hygienist will remove the calculus above and below the gum. This procedure is called scaling, it may be necessary to smooth the root surfaces of the teeth. This procedure, called root planing, removes residual calculus and bacterial by-products. Your dentist may also replace old crowns and fillings that no longer fit well because these trap bacteria and food that can cause severe periodontal problems. Regardless of the procedures used to treat periodontal disease studies show that the most benefit comes from a procedure in conjunction with at home oral hygiene.