Dental Scaling & Root Planing Mississauga
Plaque is a sticky film that continuously forms on the teeth and contains bacteria. When plaque is not removed effectively through brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleanings, it can harden into calculus, also known as tartar. Unlike plaque, calculus cannot be removed with a toothbrush and requires professional dental instruments.
When plaque and calculus accumulate around the teeth and along the gum line, they can contribute to inflammation and infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. This can lead to red, swollen, or bleeding gums, gum recession, periodontal pockets, and, in more advanced cases, loss of the bone that supports the teeth. Periodontal disease develops gradually and may not always cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
Gingivitis and Periodontitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and is usually reversible when the underlying plaque and calculus are properly addressed. Common signs include bleeding or swollen gums, particularly during brushing or flossing.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, a more advanced form of periodontal disease that affects the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontitis may cause persistent gum inflammation, gum recession, periodontal pockets, bone loss, bad breath, loose teeth, and eventually tooth loss.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, sometimes referred to as deep cleaning, is a non-surgical periodontal treatment used when plaque and calculus have accumulated below the gum line. The goal is to remove bacterial deposits from the tooth and root surfaces and create a cleaner environment that allows the gums to heal.
Scaling removes plaque and hardened calculus from the visible tooth surfaces as well as areas below the gum line. Root planing carefully cleans and smooths the exposed root surfaces, removing remaining deposits and bacterial contamination from areas affected by periodontal disease.
What Happens During Scaling and Root Planing?
Before treatment, Parkway Family Dentistry will evaluate your gums, periodontal pockets, and overall oral health to determine whether scaling and root planing is appropriate. Depending on the amount of buildup and the areas being treated, the procedure may be completed in sections of the mouth and local anesthesia may be used to improve comfort.
Dental ultrasonic or sonic instruments can be used to break up and remove larger deposits of calculus, while specialized hand instruments help clean the tooth and root surfaces more precisely. Your dentist or dental hygienist will work carefully around and below the gum line to remove deposits that cannot be reached with routine brushing and flossing.
After Scaling and Root Planing
It is common to experience some gum tenderness or temporary tooth sensitivity after periodontal deep cleaning, particularly when significant deposits have been removed. Your dental team may recommend appropriate measures to help manage these symptoms while the gums recover.
As the inflammation decreases, the gums may become less swollen and periodontal pocket measurements may improve. Your dentist will assess your response to treatment and determine whether additional periodontal care or ongoing maintenance is needed.
Periodontal Maintenance
Scaling and root planing is not a substitute for ongoing oral hygiene. Effective daily brushing and interdental cleaning are important for controlling plaque and reducing the risk of periodontal disease becoming active again.
A follow-up appointment may be recommended several weeks after treatment to reassess gum health and periodontal pocket depth. Depending on the severity of the disease and your individual risk factors, periodontal maintenance visits may be recommended at intervals such as every three or six months rather than relying only on routine annual dental cleanings.
Who May Need Scaling and Root Planing?
Your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing if an examination shows signs of periodontal disease, such as deeper periodontal pockets, bleeding during probing, significant calculus buildup, gum recession, or changes in the bone supporting the teeth. The appropriate treatment plan depends on the severity and distribution of the disease.
