Scaling & Root Planning

Scaling & Root Planning is a common non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease. By using special instruments, we will remove the bacteria and infection from the unhealthy deep pockets around the teeth below the gum line. This is often referred to as a “deep cleaning.” First the tooth is scaled to remove the plaque and tarter that has accumulated on the tooth. Then the root is planed or smoothed. This eliminates any rough areas on the root that can easily trap plaque and bacteria. A smooth clean root provides a healthy environment to allow the gums to heal naturally and re-attach to the tooth. This will create a reduced pocket, therefore eliminating areas for bacteria to hide and cause further disease. Scaling and Root Planning combined with a strict home care routine and more frequent periodontal cleanings and exams will increase your chances of keeping your own teeth.

Pocket Reduction Procedures

Normal, healthy gums have small pockets around each tooth. The bacteria and infection associated with gum disease (periodontitis) causes these pockets to become deeper, trapping more bacteria and causing more bleeding, redness and bad breath. When the pockets become too deep for scaling and root planning, a Pocket Depth Reduction procedure is often a solution. During a Pocket Depth Reduction procedure, we can remove the disease-causing bacteria and infection and we will then thoroughly clean and smooth the tooth surfaces. If necessary, we sometimes reshape the gum and bone to allow the gums to settle nicely. This will allow the gums to heal, resulting in smaller, healthier pockets.

Repair (Regrowth) of Lost Bone Around Teeth

Damage from periodontal disease can result in severe loss of gum and bone around your teeth causing them to become loose and/or shift position. To correct this problem, a Bone and Tissue Regeneration procedure may be necessary to reverse this loss and save your teeth.

Before                                                                    After

Peri-implantitis treatment

Just as teeth, implants can also develop gum disease. In order to prevent peri-implantitis, it is essential that good hygiene care takes place at home, as well as with regular hygiene visits. If you notice bleeding, you have difficulty cleaning your implants, you smoke, or if your implants were placed more that 5 years ago, you should consider having a periodontal visit to make sure that your dental implants are free of gum infection. If you have any gum infection around the implants it is best to treat it sooner rather than later in order to prevent future bone loss.

Periodontal Cleanings & Maintenance

Maintenance or Periodontal Cleanings, are continued periodontal therapy. Periodontal (Gum) Disease is a chronic problem, much like diabetes, and must be controlled through regular periodontal cleanings (even though you may have had periodontal surgery or non-surgical treatment). The schedule will vary from case to case, but typically periodontal cleanings are required on a more frequent basis than the six month interval often recommended for patients with healthy gums. The interval between cleanings that’s right for you will be determined following your initial periodontal treatments.