Scaling and Root Planing in Hilliard, OH

Prevent Tooth Loss with Professional Deep Cleaning

Are you noticing red, swollen, or bleeding gums when brushing? These are early warning signs of gum disease that shouldn’t be ignored. Our Hilliard, OH, general dentist provides scaling and root planing—a professional deep cleaning procedure recommended by the American Dental Association to treat periodontal disease before it advances past gingivitis to more serious stages.

Don’t wait until harmful bacteria cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums. Call our Hilliard dental office today at (614) 771-6060 to schedule your comprehensive periodontal evaluation.

What Is Scaling and Root Planing?

Scaling and root planing is a deep dental cleaning procedure designed to treat gum disease that has advanced beyond what routine dental cleanings can address. Unlike regular cleanings that focus on the visible portions of your teeth, this therapeutic procedure targets bacteria called plaque and hardened plaque (tartar) that collect below the gumline where they form spaces called pockets.

The scaling and root planing procedure consists of two important steps:

Scaling

Our dentist or hygienist carefully removes all the plaque and tartar deposits from:

• The crown surfaces of your teeth
• Below the gum line
• Within periodontal pockets

This is performed using specialized hand instruments or ultrasonic devices that can access areas regular brushing and flossing can’t reach.

Root Planing

After scaling, we begin root planing to:

• Smooth rough areas on teeth roots
• Remove bacterial toxins that have penetrated root surfaces
• Create a clean environment where gums can reattach to teeth
• Reduce pocket depths and eliminate breeding grounds for oral bacteria

Key Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing

For patients showing signs of chronic periodontitis or early-stage gum disease, scaling and root planing provides numerous advantages:

1. Halts Disease Progression: Prevents gum disease from advancing to severe periodontitis
2. Preserves Natural Teeth: Significantly reduces the risk of tooth loss
3. Eliminates Bad Breath: Removes bacteria causing persistent halitosis
4. Reduces Inflammation: Decreases gum bleeding, swelling, and tenderness
5. Promotes Reattachment: Helps gums reattach to teeth, reducing pocket depths
6. Enhances Overall Health: May lower risks associated with oral bacteria entering bloodstream
7. Cost-Effective Care: Prevents need for more expensive surgical interventions

When Is Deep Dental Cleaning Necessary?

The American Dental Association finds that scaling and root planing is necessary when:

• Periodontal pockets measure 4mm or deeper
• Dental X-rays show evidence of bone loss
• Gums bleed easily during routine brushing or flossing
• There’s significant accumulation of hardened plaque both above and below the gum line
• Teeth have become loose or shifted position due to gum disease
• Gum recession is visible, potentially exposing teeth roots

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, contact our Hilliard dentist immediately at (614) 771-6060 for an evaluation.

The Scaling and Root Planing Process

Our comprehensive deep cleaning protocol includes:

1. Thorough Examination: Dr. Nathan Desai will evaluate your periodontal health through detailed measurements and dental imaging.
2. Comfort Measures: We prioritize your comfort using local anesthetic or other appropriate sedation options to control pain during treatment.
3. Professional Scaling: Using specialized instruments, our dental team carefully removes harmful bacteria and tartar deposits from all tooth surfaces and below the gum line.
4. Root Planing: We thoroughly smooth the root surfaces to eliminate bacterial toxins and create an environment where healthy gum reattachment can occur.
5. Antimicrobial Treatment: We may insert medication directly into periodontal pockets or prescribe a special mouth rinse to prevent infection and promote healing.
6. Personalized Care Plan: For cases of chronic periodontitis, treatment may require more than one visit, typically focusing on one quadrant of your mouth per appointment.

Essential Aftercare for Optimal Results

Following your scaling and root planing procedure:

• Use a soft brush and gentle technique when resuming regular brushing
• Rinse with prescribed antimicrobial mouth rinse to support healing
• Take oral antibiotics or subantimicrobial dose doxycycline if prescribed
• Avoid hot, spicy, or abrasive foods for up to a week
• Attend follow-up appointments to monitor healing and gum reattachment
• Commit to more frequent professional cleanings (typically every three to four months)

Potential Side Effects of Scaling and Root Planing

Temporary teeth sensitivity to temperature or pressure is normal and typically resolves within one to two weeks. Some patients may experience minor discomfort, slight gum recession, or increased awareness of teeth roots. These effects are generally temporary and far outweighed by the benefits of treating progressive gum disease.