Overcome Gum Disease with Non-Surgical Scaling and Root Planing (SRP)

It’s gum disease treatment where the dentist uses special skills and tools to “scale away” bacteria toxins, dental calculus, and other deposits from the surface of your teeth and below the gum line. After scaling, the dentist smoothes out the tooth roots through root planing to promote healing by encouraging healthy attachment of the gums to the teeth.

The treatment takes two or more visits, depending on the severity of your infection. Typically, we usually treat one half of the mouth (sometimes, one quadrant) during each visit to ensure you can still use the other side of the mouth between treatments.

Before treatment, we’ll anesthetize your gums to minimize discomfort during the procedure. We always try to be as gentle as possible to optimize your comfort. Deep cleaning starts with scaling to remove all the harmful deposits before polishing the roots to promote healing.

After treatment, you will experience mild tenderness, bruising, and bleeding. This shouldn’t worry you because it’s expected and will only last a few days. However, we’ll give you medications and home remedies to manage discomfort and avoid health complications.

We’ll schedule follow-up appointments with you to monitor the healing of your gums. These appointments allow us to determine if the remedy is adequate or if you may need further advanced treatments.

Scaling and root planing are deeper, more intensive cleanings designed to treat gum disease. Scaling and root planing go behind the gums to get rid of bacteria from deep pockets surrounding the teeth, whereas a routine cleaning gets rid of plaque and tartar from above the gum line. Dr. Eckland recommends this treatment for patients with signs of periodontal disease to help prevent further gum recession and bone loss.

Scaling and root planing can reduce gum inflammation and help gums reattach to the teeth, but they won’t regenerate lost gum tissue. However, by stopping the progression of gum disease, this treatment can prevent further gum recession. If additional tissue restoration is needed, Dr. Eckland will assess your gum health after treatment and discuss options like gum grafting.

Healing time varies, but most patients notice reduced inflammation and improved gum health within a week. Some sensitivity and mild discomfort may last a few days. Proper oral hygiene, gentle brushing, and a prescribed mouth rinse can aid recovery. Dr. Eckland will schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing and determine if further treatment is needed to maintain gum health.

Some patients may feel like their teeth are slightly looser after treatment, but this is usually temporary. Before treatment, tartar buildup may have been holding the teeth in place. Once removed, teeth may feel different, but as the gums heal and tighten around the teeth, they regain stability. Dr. Eckland will monitor your progress to ensure your teeth remain healthy and secure.

Yes! Chronic bad breath (halitosis) is often caused by bacteria and plaque trapped beneath the gums. Scaling and root planing can significantly reduce odor-causing bacteria by thoroughly cleaning these areas. As your gums heal and inflammation decreases, your breath will become fresher. Dr. Eckland may also recommend specific oral care habits to maintain long-term freshness.

The frequency depends on the severity of your gum disease. Some patients require this treatment only once, followed by regular maintenance cleanings. Others with advanced periodontal disease may need periodic deep cleanings to keep their condition under control. Dr. Eckland will customize a periodontal maintenance plan based on your needs to prevent reinfection.

If proper oral hygiene isn’t maintained, bacteria can reaccumulate, leading to gum disease. Brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits are crucial in preventing recurrence. Patients with a history of gum disease may need more frequent professional cleanings. Dr. Eckland will provide personalized recommendations to help you keep your gums healthy in the long term.