Scaling and Root Planing in Gainesville, VA

Gum disease is an infection caused by harmful bacteria that places your oral health and general health at risk. Without treatment, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and a number of other dental problems. If your gingivitis has progressed to the periodontitis stage of gum disease, our periodontal specialist may recommend a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing (SRP). Our skilled team performs SRP to remove plaque and tartar accumulation from below the gumline. This treatment allows us to smooth your tooth roots to encourage reattachment of your gums to your tooth structure. The goal of SRP is to improve your oral health by eliminating active infection from your mouth and reducing the depths of your periodontal pockets. If you have gums that bleed or other symptoms of periodontitis, contact Atlas Walk Dental & Orthodontics in Gainesville, VA today to schedule your periodontal consultation.

Gum disease impacts your mouth by causing inflammation of the gums and destroying the bone surrounding your teeth. At your dental exam visits, our team will measure the spaces (gum pockets) between your teeth and gums and take low-radiation digital x-rays of your mouth. If our periodontal specialist identifies bone loss on your x-rays and you have pocket depths over 3mm, scaling and root planing therapy may be recommended. Other indications that periodontitis is present in your mouth include symptoms like bleeding, swelling, or redness of the gums, a bad taste or bad breath, and gums that are beginning to recede. Catching and treating gum disease at this stage can help to keep it from causing more damage in your mouth. It can also help to keep your condition from progressing to advanced periodontitis, which may require a surgical approach to care.

Our periodontal specialist and team of dental hygienists perform scaling and root planing in our state-of-the-art Gainesville, VA practice. To keep you comfortable during your procedure, we numb the gums with local anesthetic and can provide sedation services if you experience dental anxiety. We perform scaling and root planing with ultrasonic and specialized hand instruments that enable us to gently remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your tooth roots beneath the gums. When your roots are smooth and free of plaque and tartar deposits, we will rinse the areas and provide home care instructions. Localized antibiotics may also be placed in the pockets immediately following SRP to manage bacterial growth in the area. Depending on the extent of your condition, your SRP procedure may be completed in one or more visits.

SRP helps to minimize periodontal pocket depths and reduce the spaces where bacteria can hide and cause damage. Following your treatment, it is very important to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly to help minimize plaque and bacteria accumulation. Our team will demonstrate the best techniques for you to use when performing home care. You may notice minor gum tenderness or tooth sensitivity after your scaling and root planing procedure. If you received local anesthesia, we recommend that you wait to eat until the numbness has completely subsided. To help manage your gum disease condition and keep your smile healthy following treatment, our periodontist may recommend periodontal maintenance visits at our practice every 3 – 4 months.

Scaling and root planing therapy may be covered, at least in part, by your dental insurance plan. Before starting your treatment, we will contact your provider to review the details of your coverage. Our business team will calculate any personal expenses and review our convenient payment options, including low-interest financing through CareCredit®. At Atlas Walk Dental & Orthodontics, we are pleased to offer affordable care and will work with you to help your treatment fit into your budget.

Gum disease will not heal on its own and can threaten the future of your smile as well as your general health. Treating your periodontitis with non-surgical scaling and root planing as early as possible can help preserve the future of your smile and overall wellness. Our talented team at Atlas Walk Dental & Orthodontics wants to help you enjoy long-term periodontal health. To learn more about SPP at our Gainesville, VA practice, contact us to schedule a consultation.