Scaling and Root Planing Risks
Scaling and root planing, frequently referred to in tandem as "deep cleaning," are important procedures that can fend off and even reverse gum disease. Because this is a form of dental cleaning that operates below and above the gumline, many patients feel some anxiety about having to undergo it. However, while it is not the easiest or most comfortable procedure, it is also not a particularly difficult or painful one. In almost all cases, the benefits far outweigh any potential risks.
Why is Scaling and Root Planing Necessary?
Scaling and root planing become necessary when plaque has hardened over time into tartar, a form of dental calculus that contains bacteria. Over time, the bacteria present in tartar can damage and disease the gum tissue that it comes into contact with, causing the gums to pull away from the teeth that they usually fit around and allow small pockets to form. With the gums now failing to protect the space between the teeth and gums, plaque and tartar can form in these small pockets, further damaging the gum tissue and allowing gum disease to progress unfettered.
If your dentist finds that you have started to form these small pockets between your gums and your teeth, she or he will recommend a scaling and root planing procedure to remove the built-up plaque and tartar from below the surface of the gums to both treat the infected tissues and also prevent gum disease from progressing.
Caught early enough, gum disease can effectively be treated and even reversed using scaling and root planing, so it is imperative to follow your dentist's advice and schedule a scaling and root planing procedure as soon as it is recommended to you.
What are the Risks of Scaling and Root Planing?
Because scaling and root planing are procedures that go below the gumline to root out plaque and tartar using special instruments, it can be irritating to the gums' soft tissues and cause localized bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. Given the inflammation that can be caused by both gum disease and the procedure of treating it, irritated nerves can also lead to increased tooth and gum sensitivity in the days and weeks following scaling and root planing. This usually resolves on its own after a few weeks but may require further intervention if it persists.
Cosmetic concerns include the shifting of teeth within the mouth as the gums begin to function once again as they should; one of the hallmarks of gum disease is teeth that become unanchored from their previously firm position in the jaw and start to migrate slightly. The appearance of the gums themselves can also change as swelling and inflammation begin to reduce.
More serious complications involve adverse reactions to the anesthetic, infection at the procedural site, and the introduction of bacteria into the bloodstream. This can be especially problematic for anyone who has specific heart problems or is particularly susceptible to infection due to a compromised immune system, so be sure to have a detailed conversation with your dentist about any of these concerns before undergoing this particular procedure.