With evidence of bone loss and infection beneath the gum line, your dental health professional may advise you to undergo a deep cleaning to prevent further oral health complications. This procedure, also called scaling and root planing, offers patients a thorough approach to restoring full health to their teeth and gums.
Below is some information describing the details of a deep cleaning, as well as the benefits it provides to maintaining a healthy smile.
Why Do I Need Scaling and Root Planing?
Dental deep cleanings are quite different than the regular dental cleanings you undergo bi-annually. A regular cleaning focuses on cleansing the surface of teeth, including between the teeth and just above the gum line. Scaling and root planing removes bacteria and tartar that is infecting the roots below the gums.
When tartar collects under the gum line, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria that is difficult for patients to remove with mere brushing and flossing. The longer this bacterium accumulates, the greater the likelihood that the body will trigger an immune response that results in inflammation. What’s more, if bacteria are left untreated, the infection will progress deeper into the gum line, ultimately causing bone loss and the loss of one or multiple teeth.
Describing the Procedure
During your visit, you will typically undergo a mild anesthesia prior to the procedure starting. This is to allow you to feel comfortable during the treatment and enable your dentist to be as thorough as possible. Patients who require scaling and root planing can expect to spend up to 45 minutes for each quadrant of the mouth to be cleaned.
After the area is numb, your dental professional will carefully clean under the gum line to remove any debris. They will also plane the tooth roots as a preventative measure to thwart future bacteria collection.
A Minimally Invasive Procedure
Many patients recover from a deep cleaning with ease. In most cases, you will be given an antibiotic and daily cleaning regimen to follow. Occasionally, you will also be advised to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help with any discomfort.
Once you’ve undergone one deep cleaning, your dental health professional may recommend more frequent visits to be sure to keep the bacteria at bay. These maintenance visits are typically scheduled once every three or four months to maintain the healthy results your deep cleaning achieved.
If you have questions about deep dental cleanings, we’re happy to help answer them! Please contact Drs. Kenneth and Matthew Thomas, DDS in Clarkston today to schedule an appointment.