What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
To help patients enjoy a healthy smile, our experienced dentist and team offer non-surgical procedures that improve your periodontal health. If you have been diagnosed with the periodontitis stage of gum disease, scaling and root planing (SRP) in Missouri City, TX is an effective therapeutic approach to preventing the disease from causing further damage. When harmful bacteria lead to bone loss in the jaw, periodontitis develops, damaging the foundational structure of your teeth. Bacteria, plaque, and tartar accumulate and hide below the gumline, and a scaling and root planing treatment works to remove these deposits using special dental tools. SRP encourages periodontal health by smoothing the root surfaces, allowing the gum tissues to heal and tighten around the teeth. Patients who experience symptoms regarding the gums, including inflammation, bleeding, and gum recession, should reach out to our office in Missouri City, TX right away for an assessment.
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When Is Scaling and Root Planing Needed?
When left untreated, gum disease can break down or destroy the gums and supporting bone around the teeth. If you have symptoms such as chronic bad breath, tenderness, bleeding, or inflammation, this may be an indication of disease-causing bacteria. To fully understand your periodontal health, our dentist will take low-radiation digital x-rays and measure the gaps between your teeth and gums. These images will show our team whether periodontitis has caused bone loss, while the measurements help us understand if your periodontal pockets are deeper than 3mm, which may indicate gum disease. To bring the health back to your smile, Made Ya Smile may suggest scaling and root planing in Missouri City, TX. If the disease is more advanced, we may recommend a surgical procedure instead.
What Can I Expect With Scaling and Root Planing?
Based on the state of your periodontal infection, root planing can be performed by our skilled team in just 1 – 4 visits. Our staff always puts your comfort and safety first, so we provide you with sedation services if you suffer from anxiety or fear of a dental procedure. To begin, we numb the gum tissues with a local anesthetic to prepare your mouth for the scaling and root planing treatment. Made Ya Smile will then remove any plaque or tartar lying beneath the surface of the gums, then flush the pockets to remove any debris. To control the growth of bacteria, we may place antibiotics in the pockets afterward. Seeking care for periodontitis early can help you manage your oral health and protect your teeth from bone loss, as well as other concerns.
Recovery After Scaling and Root Planing Therapy
After the procedure root scraping is complete, our dentist and team will provide you with information about managing post-op discomfort or pain in the teeth and gums. You may feel sensitivity and gum tenderness for a few days after your care. SRP can help eliminate tartar and plaque so your infected gums can heal, allowing them to reattach to your teeth. This process also minimizes the depth of your periodontal pockets, where bacteria can cause damage. We will instruct you to brush and floss every day to keep your teeth clean and prevent infections from recurring. For the sake of your periodontal health, Made Ya Smile will also demonstrate the best techniques for cleaning. We may also suggest returning to our facility every 3 – 4 months so our dentist can monitor your overall progress.
Is Scaling and Root Planing Covered by Insurance?
Periodontal treatment such as root scaling and planing can be covered by most dental insurance providers. At Made Ya Smile, our business staff will contact your insurer concerning your benefits and out-of-pocket costs, then review these costs with you before we begin any procedures. We also offer a few easy options for payment, including low-interest financing with CareCredit®, to make treatment more affordable. Our team is happy to work with you and your family to find the right solution with periodontal scaling and root planing near you.
Scaling and Root Planing FAQ
Does scaling and root planing hurt?
You will go through a series of appointments when you undergo scaling and root planing. We do this to make sure each area of the mouth is healed before we provide treatment on the next. A local anesthetic is used, meaning it won't hurt during the procedure. It is possible you might experience soreness for a few days after.
What not to do after scaling teeth?
Don't use tobacco products for around three days after your scaling and root planing in Missouri City, TX. You should also consider avoiding both alcohol and spicy foods until you've healed. Any antibiotics that were prescribed should be taken until you are out, even if symptoms have improved.
What are some specific scaling and root planning home-care instructions to follow?
General instructions after your root scraping include only chewing when you have normal feeling in your mouth when anesthesia was used. You should also gently brush your teeth the first night after the procedure and only eat soft foods during the first two to three days. If you have additional questions about scaling and root planing, you can request an appointment.
What can you eat after scaling and root planning?
Soft foods like apple sauce, soups, yogurt, mashed potatoes, or similar items can be eaten after your procedure. If you have additional questions about periodontal scaling and root planing near you, schedule an appointment today.
Nonsurgical Gum Disease Treatment
Recognizing the symptoms of scaling and root planing in Missouri City, TX and getting the care you need as early as possible is the key to protecting your smile and preventing bone loss. While periodontitis cannot be cured, it can be easily managed with the right team by your side. Allow our dentist and the caring staff at Made Ya Smile to treat your periodontitis with a scaling and root planing procedure in Missouri City, TX. If you have concerning signs such as bleeding, inflammation, or chronic bad breath, reach out to our team immediately for personalized care.
