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| Before Scale and Polish |
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| After Scale and Polish |
Scaling and root planning is a meticulous cleaning of the root surfaces below the gum line, to remove toxins like nicotine, plaque and tartar from the root surfaces of the teeth. This procedure is very important to prevent and treat periodontal (or gum) disease.
Polishing of the teeth, is the removal of external tooth stains and plaque, above the gum line, with a polishing paste and a dental polishing brush, in order to obtain a clean smooth surface. It is recommended that patients have a scale and polish every six months, or every three to four months if there is periodontal disease present.
Polishing of the teeth, is the removal of external tooth stains and plaque, above the gum line, with a polishing paste and a dental polishing brush, in order to obtain a clean smooth surface. It is recommended that patients have a scale and polish every six months, or every three to four months if there is periodontal disease present.
If you require root planning and have very sensitive teeth, your dentist or periodontist may numb the area prior to treatment. Research shows that scaling and root planing, and use of chlorhexidine based mouthwash, reduces gingival inflammation and probing depths, and the number of bacteria living in deeper pockets, resulting in healing of the gums. Scaling and root planing is usually the first mode of treatment recommended for periodontal patients.
In severe periodontitis, antibiotics are prescribed before or after these procedures. Each time you take an antibiotic you increase your chance of developing drug resistant bacteria, so it is important to take antibiotics only when necessary.