A question arises: when do you need to do tooth scaling and root planning? The answer lies in your need. You need tooth scaling when you develop a severe gum disease called periodontitis. In this case, you need teeth scaling to remove the tarter and treat inflamed gums. As a result, These deep-cleaning procedures chip off tartar that hardens to the surfaces of your teeth and roots. It also helps protect your smile and prevent the loss of teeth and gums. However, tooth scaling and root planning are known as deep cleansing in dentistry. It removes tartar, which is visible while you smile. Root planing removes tartar from the roots of your teeth below your gum line.
WHAT CAUSES CHRONIC PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
A person suffers from periodontal disease when bacteria in plaque force the gums to pull away from the teeth. Consequently, it causes large pockets between your gums and teeth, leading to the growth of bacteria that you will not be able to reach with regular teeth brushing at home. The disease is sometimes unnoticeable. Therefore, regular checkups are recommended. Also, a good oral hygiene routine is essential to prevent periodontal disease and to keep the oral cavity healthy. Dentists recommend:
- It is good to use fluoride toothpaste to brush at least twice a day
- Flossing daily to remove food debris
- Changing teeth brush within three months
- Lastly, rinsing the mouth with dental rinses.
The causes of periodontal disease trace their origin to;
- aging
- family history
- hormonal changes
- insufficient nutrition
- improper dental hygiene
- Smoking
If you don’t treat your teeth, you might develop the following:
- bone and tissue loss
- tooth loss
- moving teeth
Insights Into Post-root Planning And Tooth Scaling Treatment
This section sheds light on the detailed treatment procedure.
What Is Done Before Tooth Scaling And Root Planning?
Periodontal disease does not lead to pain. Dentists diagnose the disease during a dental checkup. A patient may also get dental X-rays to look for problems like cavities. The treatment will take place during a future appointment.
Who Performs The Treatment?
The dentist and periodontitis do this treatment. Dental hygienists usually offer the procedure. However, both treatments take place during the same dental visit. However, You’ll usually need more than one appointment to treat your teeth.
What Can A Patient Expect When Treatments Are Done?
This deep teeth cleaning can give you an impressive smile, boosting your confidence in every facet of life. This deep dental cleaning goes below your gum line to completely remove tartar from each of your teeth, including their roots. In the case of any discomfort, a captain may give an anesthetic. Besides, several studies have shown that these both are effective treatments for periodontitis. These treatments save you from losing gum tissues, teeth, and bones.
What Happened During The Tooth Scaling Treatment Procedure?
Doctors usually prefer vibrating tools called ultrasonic scalers for the scaling process. The following steps are taken during the procedure:
1- The vibrating metal tip on the scaler chips helps tartar off teeth above the gum line
2-water spray on the scaler helps ease away the tartar and flushes out plaque from gum pockets.
3- A dentist may use a combination of a manual scaler and scraping device to remove tartar.
What Happens During Root Planning Treatment?
Let’s reorient the discussion toward reducing root planning treatment.
Dentists assess the pockets of the tissues. If the pocket is not reduced, a patient may need surgical treatment. Root planning treatment includes the following steps;
1- Bone grafting
It replaces lost bone with bone from a donor or lab-made material.
2- Flap surgery
It lowers the gum line to make the gum pocket smaller
3- Soft tissue grafting
This technique replaces lost gum tissues with tissues from the roof of your mouth or a donor.
How Many Dental Appointments Will A Patient Need For The Treatment?
The number of appointments depends on the severity of the disease; in case of severe conditions, a patient is asked to plan an appointment in line with the doctor’s demand. However, some providers treat the first side of the mouth and then arrange a second visit to treat the remaining part. Some dentists treat half of the upper mouth and half in the second visit. In the second appointment, they may treat the upper right side of your mouth. With this treatment approach, you’ll need four appointments.
What Are The Risks Of Post-treatment?
The procedure can cause temporary discomfort while you heal. However, there is evidence that risks are minimal. But people with certain heart conditions like endocarditis or who have synthetic heart valves may need to take antibiotics before getting any dental procedures. Antibiotics lower your risk of a bacterial infection.
Some patients may endure infection after the procedure. In such cases, the dentist can prescribe a particular mouthwash or antibiotic for several days or weeks.
What Is The Difference Between Root Planning And Tooth Scaling Treatment?
Now, delve into understanding the difference between the procedures.
Starting with root planning, in this process, an area of the tooth infected by bacteria gets cleaned. These remanents include steps of removing plaque and tartar.
Tooth Scaling is done to remove the tartar, which has accumulated on the surface of the teeth above the gum line. However, both are vital procedures for cleaning and maintaining oral health.
What Does Recovery Like After the Treatment?
A patient may experience slight gum swelling post-treatment. Also, the gums may feel tender once the procedure is completed. Apart from the tenderness of the gums, your teeth might also feel sensitive. In this case, you must follow your dentist’s instructions for a speedy recovery.
Precautions After The Treatment
After the end of treatment, a patient may feel pain for a couple of days and sensitivity for up to a week. Your gum may be swollen, and you may feel tender. In order to prevent infection, a patient may be asked to take pills for healing. Other than that, your dentist will also schedule another visit to see how your gums have healed and measure the depth of your pocket if they notice that your pockets have gotten deeper. Then, in that case, more treatment may be needed to heal.
Conclusion
In short, good dental care is the first step to maintaining good oral health. There are several diseases, such as gum disease, which can lead to loss of teeth at a later age. To deal with these challenges, the dentist recommends several measures. Good dental care health includes brushing your teeth twice a day with the help of a soft brush, cleaning your teeth, eating a balanced diet, avoiding using tobacco, and consulting your dentist regularly. However, many root planning services are available, so choose the right one. Dentistry offers scaling services, too, so make informed decisions.