If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, scaling and root planing is often the first step toward restoring your gum health. This nonsurgical treatment, also known as a deep cleaning, targets the areas beneath the gumline where plaque, tartar and bacteria thrive. Left untreated, these harmful substances can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, leading to bone loss and, eventually, tooth loss.
How Scaling & Root Planing Works
Scaling and root planing in Santa Fe and Los Alamos, New Mexico, is a straightforward procedure in which our periodontist and team thoroughly clean your mouth to remove disease-causing factors. Depending on your needs, it may be combined with antibiotic therapy or other treatments to produce the best results for your oral health.
What Scaling Involves
Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar buildup from the surfaces of your teeth. While regular brushing and flossing help prevent this buildup, only professional instruments can effectively remove hardened tartar, especially below the gumline. Our periodontist and team use specialized tools to clean around and beneath your gumline to stop the inflammation at its source.
How Root Planing Helps
Root planing is the second part of the treatment. Once the tartar is removed, the tooth roots are carefully smoothed. This step helps eliminate bacterial toxins and creates a clean, even surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. Smoother roots also make it more difficult for bacteria to accumulate in the future, reducing the risk of reinfection.
Your Comfort Is Our Priority
Most patients tolerate scaling and root planing very well. However, if your gums are sensitive or if deeper pockets need to be cleaned, we offer local anesthesia and other comfort options to ensure a relaxed experience. Depending on the severity of the disease, the treatment may be completed in one visit to Ghiassi Periodontics or divided into multiple appointments to treat one quadrant of the mouth at a time.
Ongoing Care & Maintenance
Following scaling and root planing, it is essential to maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine and attend regular periodontal maintenance visits. In some cases, we may recommend adjunctive therapies, such as localized antibiotics, to further reduce bacteria in the gums.
Scaling and root planing in Santa Fe and Los Alamos, New Mexico, is one of the most effective methods to halt the progression of gum disease. If you have questions or concerns about the procedure or your periodontal health, please contact our office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Jordan Ghiassi. We are here to help you achieve and maintain a healthy smile.