What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Taking care of your gums is a simple but effective way to manage gum disease and keep your mouth and body healthy. Scaling and root planing, also known as periodontal scaling and root planing or a "deep cleaning", is a nonsurgical gum disease treatment. It targets plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria under the gumline. These bacteria can cause inflammation and infection, which leads to gum disease. When gum disease is caught early (gingivitis), it can often be treated with regular dental cleanings. However, if the disease progresses to periodontitis, or bone loss, a more advanced stage, scaling and root planing becomes necessary. This process promotes healing and helps reverse the effects of gum disease, creating a healthier foundation for your smile. If you're noticing signs of gum disease, such as bleeding gums, bad breath, or gum recession, it's time to consider a consultation for scaling and root planing at our Columbia, MD practice.
How Does Scaling and Root Planing Work?
UMG Family Dentistry employs the latest tools and techniques to make your experience as comfortable as possible. The scaling and root planing procedure is typically done in 1 – 4 sessions, depending on the severity of the gum disease and how much of the area needs to be treated. Before starting, we'll numb the area with a mild anesthetic to ensure your comfort. For patients who feel anxious, we also offer sedation options. Once you're comfortable, our skilled dental hygienists will use an advanced scaler and handheld instruments to gently remove plaque and tartar buildup from deep inside the gum pockets. The root planing part of the procedure smooths the tooth roots, which reduces the places where bacteria can hide and allows the gums to reattach more easily to the teeth. In some cases, a topical antibiotic or ozone gas may be applied to further control bacteria and support healing after the treatment. Patients may undergo scaling and root planing before extraction, especially if gum disease has weakened the surrounding teeth. In these situations, the deep cleaning helps control infection and inflammation, setting the stage for a smoother extraction if necessary.
What Are the Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing?
Once our team completes the scaling and root planing procedure, you'll start to see significant improvements in your oral health. This treatment stops gum disease in its tracks and restores a healthier environment in your mouth. Columbia, MD-area patients at UMG Family Dentistry struggling with gum disease benefit immensely from scaling and root planing, which offer the following advantages:
- Prevents gum disease from worsening, helping you avoid more invasive treatments
- Reduces bad breath by eliminating bacteria that cause odor
- Lowers the risk of health complications associated with gum disease, such as heart disease and diabetes
- Prevents cavities from forming
- Removes hardened plaque (tartar) and brightens your teeth for a cleaner, healthier appearance
- Protects against tooth loss by preventing further bone and gum damage
- Improves overall oral health by directly tackling periodontal disease and promoting gum healing
UMG Family Dentistry Reviews
Refreshing experience - Dr. Ung and her entire staff were extremely pleasant, knew what they were doing, and didn’t rush me out of the door which is very important for me. Dr. Ung took her time and did an excellent job. She answered all my questions and made sure I understood what was happening every step of the way. I usually have poor experiences with dentists so this was a breath of fresh air. Highly recommend. Oh and they’re family owned and have a Physical Therapy side of the business which I’ll be checking out.
Dr. Ung was so nice She was gentle and very thorough. This may sound crazy but I can't wait until my next appointment!!
I am so glad Dr. Ung now has her own practice. I have been going to Dr. Ung for years and have followed her to whichever practice she has worked at. What makes Dr. Ung the best is she is kind and knowledgeable, but won’t make you feel bad when she explains issues with your teeth or different approaches or practices for you to have better oral health. I have been to other dentists that scold you or make you feel bad. Dr. Ung is the opposite. She explains the issues and consequences, but provides approaches to do better. She is a caring dentist that also has a gentle hand and tries to make the experience enjoyable. I have no worries when I have a dental appointment after seeing Dr. Ung. That is why I have followed her. She is that great of a dentist.
Amazing new facility with clean and new equipment. The hygienist and doctor were very caring and helpful with my dental care.
Dr. Ung was so professional, knowledgeable, and kind during my appointment. She did a thorough history and I left feeling like I had gotten a new smile. amazing experience!
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Treat Gum Disease and Protect Your Smile
At UMG Family Dentistry, we're committed to helping you achieve optimal oral health through personalized care. Scaling and root planing are effective ways to treat gum disease and protect your smile from long-term damage. Contact our Columbia, MD practice to book an appointment. Learn more about how periodontal scaling and root planing can benefit you and help you maintain a healthier, happier smile.
