BOYNTON BEACH & BOCA RATON
SCALING & ROOT PLANING: WHAT ARE THEY?
Dental plaque and tartar are two of the most common dental conditions affecting people around the world. Plaque forms as a result of bacterial build-up in the mouth. When we consume sugary or carbonated foods and beverages, the number of bacteria in our mouth multiplies and grows unchecked.
Proper teeth cleaning and good oral hygiene can prevent the number of bacteria from growing uncontrollably. Unfortunately, not a lot of us know how to care for our teeth properly and fail to provide the deep cleaning our jaws and teeth need.
When mouth bacteria are very high, they produce a thin sticky film over the teeth, known as dental plaque. Untreated over time, this soft plaque hardens into a brownish-black hard substance called calculus or tartar.
Too much plaque and tartar build-up in the mouth can result in severe dental conditions like periodontal or gum disease. This disease can infect the deep tissues of the jaw and can lead to malformation of the teeth.
HOW CAN I PREVENT PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
A good way to prevent all of this from happening is by stopping the plaque and tartar from building up in the first place. This we can do through a teeth scaling and root planing procedure.
Contact us at Somi Dental Group & Orthodontics to schedule a scaling and root planing treatment today. Our clinic is based in the heart of Boynton Beach.
DEEP CLEANING CAN MAINTAIN YOUR GUM HEALTH
Scaling and root planing are two deep dental cleaning treatments, designed to get rid of the dental plaque and tartar present on the patient’s teeth. Here, the dentist will evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums to identify if there are any signs of gingivitis or gum disease. If you do show any signs or the dentist notices you have a heavy plaque and tartar build-up, he will recommend scaling and root planing as the first treatment option.
IS THE PROCEDURE PAINFUL?
Both the scaling and root planing procedures may induce a little pain and discomfort because of the way the treatments are done. If you feel you may need anesthesia, be sure to speak to our dentist. He will administer local anesthesia to numb your mouth.
The first stage of the treatment is the scaling, where the dentist will either use long, thin scaling equipment called scaler and curette or ultrasound instrument with a vibrating metal tip, to break-up the plaque and tartar on the teeth. He will move the instrument on and around your teeth and under your gumline, to gain access to the deep recesses of your teeth. Slowly, he will remove the plaque and tartar at the surface of the teeth and just below the gum line by chipping off the build up and spraying water on the treatment sites to wash the build-up off the teeth. During scaling, your dentist will not treat the roots of the teeth.
For the roots, he will perform the root planing procedure. The treatment procedure is similar to what is done during scaling. However, in addition to removing the dental plaque and tartar build-up, the dentist will also smoothen the roots, in order to allow them to heal from the infection caused due to gingivitis or gum disease.
BEST TREATMENT FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES
Periodontal surgery can be quite tiring for children, not to mention scary. But, if caught early, there won’t be any need for gum surgery for your kids. Scaling and root planing are the treatments that are typically recommended for pediatric patients.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
AFTER TREATMENT
Right after the treatment, your child may feel minor discomfort and pain. But, the dentist will recommend pain medication which your child can take to feel better. A new oral care schedule will also be provided to you, with a list of foods and beverages that your child can and cannot be given, to prevent plaque and tartar build-up again.
Dr. Lopez is renowned across Florida for his empathetic and approachable disposition. He is one of the best people to trust your young ones with. Reach out to us for more information. Take a look at our Before & After photos to see some of the scaling and root planing work we’ve done before.
We take care of patients from all across Florida, predominantly the Pinecrest, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove areas.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with our dentists, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our staff.
