What is Scaling and Root Planning?
Scaling and root planing are two linked procedures that are often referred to as deep cleaning. Unlike the routine cleaning done at your biannual dental check-ups, a deep cleaning becomes necessary when plaque and tartar have built up to the point of creating pockets of calculus under the surface of the gums. These pockets are what your dentist is probing for during a routine check-up. If pockets deeper than four millimeters are found, deep cleaning will likely be recommended to stave off and even potentially reverse the progression of gum disease.
The Need for Scaling and Root Planing
Plaque is formed on the teeth in the normal course of one's day-to-day life; bits of food, saliva, and the bacteria present in the mouth all work together to create a sticky substance (plaque) that eventually hardens into tartar over time.
While daily brushing and flossing are essential to reduce the amount of plaque and tartar allowed to be created on your teeth, your toothbrush alone is not enough to remove tartar once it has formed. As the bacteria from this matter start to infect the gum tissue, the gums themselves become diseased and begin to pull away from the teeth; it is then that plaque and tartar can start building under the gumline. When that happens, scaling becomes necessary to remove it.
Steps of Scaling and Root Planing
Unlike routine cleanings, scaling and root planing is not typically done in a single visit. Most frequently, dentists address one fourth or one half of the mouth at a time, which means that it will take 2-4 visits to complete the deep cleaning.
First, your dentist might choose to administer some local anesthetic to lessen any pain or discomfort. She or he will then use special tools to go beneath the gums' surface to root out any built-up calculus. These typically include dental scalers and curettes, which are the same instruments with the thin, curved tips that your dental hygienist uses when doing routine cleanings of your teeth. They might also employ a special ultrasonic tool that chips away at large pieces of tartar. At the same time, a water wand washes them away.
Once the tartar has been removed, your dentist will then proceed to root planing. This procedure is undertaken in the same area – beneath the surface of the gums – but rather than removing unwanted material, this part of the procedure is to flatten out the roots below the gums so that the gums are able to attach correctly to the teeth again.
Aftercare and Other Considerations
It is not uncommon to experience some pain and sensitivity following a deep cleaning. Using desensitizing toothpaste can minimize this sensitivity, as can brushing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You should find that the discomfort goes away with time and, even more importantly, that your oral health is greatly improved. If your dentist has recommended a deep cleaning of your teeth, don't avoid it – in the long run, your mouth will thank you for it.