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14
Apr
The ABCs of SRP (Scaling and Root Planing): FAQs about this “deep cleaning” for diseased gums
At Eckland Family Dental, we believe that professional dental care goes beyond just creating beautiful smiles. It is also important to promote the health of the gums, which support, stabilize, and protect the teeth. One of the key ways we treat gum issues is through a specialized procedure called “deep cleaning,” also known as scaling and root planing (SRP). This treatment is available at our offices in Everett and Redmond, Washington.
Why is it called a “deep cleaning”?
To explain this, let’s take a step back to better understand this service for periodontal/gum disease. Most patients are familiar with the standard cleaning they receive every six months, called dental prophylaxis (or “prophy”). The prophy is characterized as a “standard” cleaning. It involves one of our dental hygienists applying their special training and special tools to remove the substances that contribute to the formation or progression of gum disease and tooth decay. The deep cleaning, or “scaling and root planing,” is a more extensive version of the standard prophy.
How are scaling and root planing treatments performed?
SRP involves scaling away the bacterial toxins, stubborn plaque build-up (tartar or calculus), and other harmful deposits from the surfaces of the teeth as well as below the gumline. Standard prophylaxis removes these substances (along with surface stains) from the teeth and gumline. SRP goes deeper than that to treat underneath the gums. The “planing” part of the process comes into play when we smooth the root surfaces of the teeth. These surfaces tend to attract all the bad stuff mentioned here, contributing to gum disease. By retexturizing the roots, we encourage healing and the reattachment of the teeth and gums.
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Redmond Office
New Patients: (425) 448-6339 | Existing Patients: (425) 979-4430
Everett Office
New Patients: (425) 249-3830 | Existing Patients: (425) 259-6551
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What does SRP treat?
Not all gum disease is the same. It may start as inflammation (gingivitis) and then progress to its more advanced form and periodontal infections (periodontitis). This nonsurgical therapy may be appropriate for those patients whose gums have not healed fully or properly with hygiene/behavioral modifications alone. It may also be a good option for those whose gums have not responded well to introducing products such as medicated antibacterial rinses. By undergoing SRP, we can stop the progression of periodontal disease in its tracks. This treatment also eliminates the need for more extensive and aggressive periodontal procedures to regenerate lost hard and soft tissues.
So, this could be a “one-and-done” treatment?
Certainly! Often, this is all it takes for our patients to restore their gum health and jumpstart a renewed oral hygiene regimen. Again, it is essential to maintain good oral care, including consistent care at home and regular visits to our office for dental prophylaxis and exams. Be sure also to keep more frequent follow-up visits so we can ensure that your gums are healing properly following SRP.
To schedule your visit, contact one of the following two Eckland Family Dental offices: Everett, WA, at (425) 249-3830 or Redmond at (425) 448-6339.
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Dr. Kale Eckland
Eckland Family Dental, led by the accomplished team of Dr. Kale Eckland, Dr. Alina Tran, and Dr. Lauren Ma, is a trusted provider of comprehensive dental care in Everett, Redmond, and surrounding communities. With specialized training and extensive expertise in various areas of dentistry, the team is committed to delivering personalized, high-quality dental solutions tailored to each patient’s needs.
Their patient-centered approach prioritizes both oral health and aesthetic outcomes, helping patients maintain radiant smiles. Eckland Family Dental combines state-of-the-art technology, advanced techniques, and a compassionate touch to ensure every patient experience is comfortable and rewarding, and they are dedicated to fostering lifelong oral health and earning the trust of families in the community through exceptional care and service.
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