When your dentist suggests you need deep cleaning of your teeth, you want to know what to expect. Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is a process of cleaning plaque that has built up on the roots of teeth beneath the gum line. Deep cleaning is an important tool of treating periodontitis, or gum disease.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum surrounding teeth, reports the website Dentistry.com. Periodontitis is caused by a buildup of sticky plaque on the surfaces of teeth and roots. Plaque, which is made up of bacteria and food particles, is constantly forming and adhering to teeth and must be removed regularly. If allowed to harden, plaque becomes cement-like calculus, or tartar. Calculus is rough and allows more plaque and bacteria to collect, causing gum inflammation. Advanced periodontitis reaches down to the roots of the teeth and the supporting bone in the jaw. Left untreated, periodontitis results in loose teeth and damaged bone. The disease advances slowly, but it is progressive and does not heal without treatment.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a two-step process to treat periodontitis, according to the website Simple Steps to Better Dental Health. Scaling removes the plaque and calculus buildup from the surfaces of teeth and beneath the gum line along the roots. Because plaque is more likely to adhere to rough surfaces, the roots are smoothed, or planed, to help prevent plaque accumulation.
Process
Scaling and root planing is typically performed on only one quadrant of the mouth at a time, according to Better Dental Health. Your mouth will be numbed before the procedure. The dentist uses a combination of ultrasonic equipment and hand tools for scaling. Ultrasonic scalers are equipped with a dull vibrating tip that removes the calculus and a water jet to cool the instrument and wash away plaque and debris. The dentist follows the ultrasonic cleaning with hand instruments to chip away remaining deposits. Scaling leaves a rough surface, so the dentist then uses a different set of instruments to plane the root to make it smooth.
Effectiveness
Scaling and root planing is often the only treatment necessary for early stages of periodontitis. In advanced stages, deep cleaning may be followed by surgery, notes Dentistry.com. The process eliminates inflammation and reduces gum bleeding. Scaling and root planing, however, does not cure periodontitis. Regular brushing, flossing and professional cleaning regimens must be followed to control periodontitis.
Cautions
Gums may feel tender for a few days following scaling and root planing, explains Better Dental Health. Individual teeth may appear longer after gums recede when the inflammation subsides. Receding gums may also leave roots exposed, leaving teeth more sensitive to heat and cold. Your dentist may advise using a fluoride gel to prevent cavities on the exposed roots. Contact your dentist or periodontist if you develop a fever or experience excessive bleeding, pain or inflammation after scaling and root planing.
