Overcome Gum Disease with Non-surgical Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing
At-home oral care and regular professional cleanings are usually all you need to maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, when bone loss and inflammation are present, sometimes a deep teeth cleaning (scaling and root planing) is needed. Periodontal cleaning is a non-surgical procedure recommended to treat and sometimes reverse periodontal disease.
The team at Kelli Brady DDS understands that any happy smile starts with healthy gums. Dr. Kelli Brady offer scaling and root planing (SRP) for a healthy, infection-free smile.
What are scaling and root planing?
SRP is a two-step procedure that removes unwanted bacteria, plaque, and dental calculus (tartar) deposits from the surface of your teeth and roots.
Step one: Scaling
The hygienist or dentist uses an ultrasonic and a manual scaler to remove calcified deposits from your teeth and under the gum line. These dental scalers are thorough enough to reach the base of the periodontal pocket that at-home dental tools can't reach.
Step two: Root planing
After root debridement, the dentist planes (smoothes) your tooth roots to remove rough patches that attract unwanted bacteria and tartar deposits. Root planing also minimizes inflammation, allowing your gums to heal and reattach firmly to your teeth. After SRP, the dentist may use oral or topical antibiotics to prevent reinfection.
What should I expect from the deep cleaning procedure?
Your treatment may require more than one visit, depending on the extent of the infection. The procedure lasts 1-2 hours, depending on the calculus buildup. Unlike standard cleanings, deep cleaning is more thorough and can result in some sensitivity in the gums. However, this shouldn't worry you! We'll numb your gums with local anesthesia for a painless experience.
After treatment, your gums may remain tender for a few days. We recommend warm salt water rinses and sometimes an ibuprofen or tylenol to minimize discomfort. We'll also schedule a follow-up visit to monitor your treatment progress, and be sure that you have a maintenance routine to follow at home to prevent re-infection. If your symptoms have not improved or are getting worse, we may recommend another SRP session. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary if your condition has advanced significantly.
Periodontal scaling and root planing near me
Deep teeth cleaning can help keep your smile healthy and confident. If you suspect gum disease, schedule an appointment with the team at Kelli Brady DDS at any of our convenient locations in Norwood, NJ (201) 806-6866 and New York, NY (646) 692-0227.
