Periodontal Scaling

Upon the dental hygienists evaluation of the gums they may determine that the patient needs more than a regular cleaning.  There are pockets between the teeth and the gums, if those pockets are bigger than 3mm the patient has the start of periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease is a fancy way of saying bone loss around the teeth.  In advanced cases patients may loose their teeth.  Scaling and root planing is the first non-surgical step to minimizing periodontal disease.  It is done in two appointments.  The hygienist will numb one side of the patient’s mouth each appointment to be able to get the instruments to the base of the pocket where all the bacteria causing the bone loss is located.  This makes it much more comfortable for the patient and easier for the hygienist.  These appointments are typically longer than a typical cleaning. After the scaling and root planing the patient is expected to come back for reevaluation and a regular cleaning in three months.