Stay Ahead of Gum Disease with Scaling and Root Planing
Left untreated, gum disease can trigger red gums, bleeding, and even tooth loss. If you notice potential signs of gum disease, then Dr. Victor Siegel may recommend scaling and root planing at our Rockville, MD, clinic. Also known as a deep cleaning, these two procedures remove bacteria from beneath the gums. Performed together, they have been proven to prevent gum tissue recession, bone loss, and even tooth loss.
With over 30 years of dental experience, Dr. Siegel is fully equipped to protect your oral health.
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Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing
The primary benefit of scaling and root planing is eliminating the many uncomfortable side effects of gum disease. Some of the most common of these include bleeding, swollen gums, and bad breath. However, after undergoing a thorough dental cleaning at our Rockville clinic, patients should begin noticing the symptoms of gum disease subside.
Other benefits of treatment include:
- Loss of bad breath
- Reduced risk for cavities
- Prevention of tooth decay and bone loss
- Reduced risk for health complications resulting from periodontitis
- Prevention of expensive restorative treatments
- Non-surgical treatment
There are some additional cosmetic benefits, as well. Swollen gums are unattractive and can make teeth appear smaller than they actually are. By eliminating the bacteria that cause swelling, your smile can look proportional once more.
Am I a Candidate?
Patients who have mild and moderate levels of gum disease are good candidates for scaling and root planing. Individuals who have severe levels of gum disease may require more invasive treatments.
Dr. Siegel will evaluate how advanced your gum disease is during your oral examination at our Rockville clinic. If you do require advanced periodontal care, our office offers surgical treatments such as soft tissue grafting to rebuild lost gum tissue.
What to Expect during Your Treatment
A deep cleaning can be broken down into several distinct steps:
- Anesthesia administration: In order to ensure your comfort during the procedure, we will first numb your gums with local anesthesia.
- Scaling: This step involves the removal of tartar and plaque from the base of your teeth. Because these colonies of bacteria harbor inflammatory acids, eliminating them usually eases swelling.
- Root Planing: Even after the existing bacteria have been removed, steps must be taken to prevent future reinfection. The doctor will use a special tool to smooth out any rough spots in the tooth roots that could serve as potential foot holds for bacteria.
This procedure often takes well under an hour to complete. While you may notice mild bleeding immediately after the procedure, it should resolve itself quickly. There is no recovery period associated with scaling and root planing.
Contact Our Rockville Office Today
Early detection and treatment of gum disease are crucial for maintaining oral health. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to more serious health problems. Advanced gum disease can damage the jawbone and gum tissue that support your teeth. To avoid costly and invasive treatments down the road, contact our Rockville office today by contacting us online or calling (301) 963-4330. Our office gladly accepts CareCredit® financing and offers interest-free payment plans.
