Scaling and Root Planning

It is critical for you to take care of your oral health, and that means reaching out to a dental professional from time to time. Caring Denta is proud to serve the greater Baltimore, Maryland area. There are some situations where you might develop problems with your gums and roots. If that is the case, we may recommend scaling and root planing. This procedure aims to prevent you from requiring an extraction in the future.

We know that the idea of us working on your roots can make you nervous. That is why we will discuss the procedure with you carefully, and we have sedation options that can keep you as comfortable as possible. Learn more below, and reach out to us to make an appointment.

What Are the Signs You Need Root Scaling and Planing?

You need to brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque and tartar from building up on the surfaces of your teeth. If you develop plaque and tartar along your gums, you may notice that your soft tissue becomes inflamed. When this happens, your gum tissue may start to pull away from your teeth. As a result, bacteria could get in between your roots and gums, forming pockets.

Eventually, if you do not treat this quickly, you could start to lose your teeth. A few of the signs that you may require root scaling and planing include:

• You notice that your gums begin to bleed when you brush and floss.
• You are sensitive to hot and cold beverages.
• Your gums appear to be changing color.
• Your gums appear to be swollen and inflamed.

If you develop any of these issues, reach out to a dentist as quickly as possible. 

How Root Scaling and Planing Is Done

This procedure cleans out your gums and the associated root structure. The dentist will remove plaque and tartar around the gum tissue during this procedure. The goal is to clean down to the root pocket, ensuring all of the bacteria have been removed.

Then, the dentist will start the process of root planing. This means smoothing out the root structure and reattaching the teeth to the gums. This procedure could require more than one visit, but we can use local anesthesia to keep you as comfortable as possible. That way, you can minimize the amount of time you spend in the chair, and we can provide you with oral care you require. 

How Long Is the Recovery Process?

Once we finish the procedure, you will probably feel a bit sore for a day or two. You may find that your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold liquids for approximately one week. Your gums may continue to bleed from time to time, but that is a sign that they are recovering.

If you are sore, we recommend over-the-counter pain medication. If you find that that is not enough to keep you comfortable, we encourage you to reach out to us as quickly as possible. We may also place some medication directly underneath the gum line to prevent infection from developing. We will be with you from start to finish and keep you as comfortable as possible. You may need to return for a few follow-up visits as well.

Root Scaling and Planing From Caring Dental in Baltimore

Our goal is to take care of your oral health needs, which is why we also offer root scaling and planing. Contact us today to make an appointment with a member of our team.