Scaling & Planing

Untreated gum disease, which starts as gingivitis, can quickly progress into periodontal disease. Your inflamed gum tissue can pull away from your teeth, leaving crevices for bacteria to fall into.

These bacteria can lead to infections in your teeth and jawbone. As a result, your jawbone, teeth, and gums can begin to deteriorate. Bacteria below the gums cannot be reached with regular brushing and flossing—at this point scaling and root planing become necessary. We are highly trained in this procedure and can help you begin the healing process.

Plaque is the sticky white film you often find on your teeth. Brushing can help remove it, but when it is not removed, it hardens and turns into tartar. This tartar pushes on your gums, causing irritation and inflammation. It cannot be removed by brushing and requires our expertise to remove.

We use special scaling tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup both on the surface of your teeth and below the gum line, while using an irrigation tool to deliver an antibacterial solution. If your gums are especially sensitive, we can first numb them to help ease any discomfort during the procedure.

Root planning is a procedure that smooths the surface of your roots, removing tartar, bacteria and other dangerous toxins. It allows your gums to heal, and the smooth surface prevents new bacteria from taking hold.

Before scaling and root planing, you will receive a thorough examination. We will take a look at the damage done to your teeth and gums as well as the amount of buildup on your teeth.

We will measure the pockets in your gums, where bacteria are likely to be hidden and perform x-rays to check on the condition of your jawbone. These procedures will help us to confirm that scaling and root planing is the correct course of action and then your teeth will be cleaned.