Scaling & Root Planing – Colorado Springs, CO

If caught early enough, gum disease treatment doesn’t require surgery or invasive procedures. In the beginning stages of gum disease, plaque and tartar build up, inflaming and infecting the gums. This can cause small pockets below the teeth that are home to bacteria. However, we can catch this issue before it causes permanent bone and tissue damage. If the structures beneath your gumline are still unaffected, we will usually recommend scaling and root planing. This is also known as a deep cleaning, where we are able to remove all the hardened tartar and get your gums back to their full health.

Scaling and root planing is a two step process that is used to treat gum disease. Usually, patients will be recommended this treatment every 3 to 6 months, depending on how severe their gum disease is. However, in some cases, a single scaling and root planing treatment combined with good oral healthcare is enough to prevent gum disease from returning.  

Scaling

Before beginning, Dr. Haradon or Dr. Lackler will ensure that you’re numb and comfortable using local anesthetic. They also offer sedation if you’d like to experience a greater sense of calm. Once you’re completely relaxed, they will carefully scale your smile, removing tough plaque and tartar from above, on, and beneath the gumline. This step addresses the current problem that affects your grin, cleaning away infectious material that could cause damage.

Root Planing

Once your smile has been cleaned and disinfected, we will set up your oral health for success in the future with the root planing process. This involves reaching under your gumline to access the tooth roots. We will carefully smooth the roots out, making it more difficult for bacteria, plaque, and food debris to collect underneath the gums. This will lower your risk of inflammation and infection down the road. Lastly, we will usually prescribe you with an antibiotic to reduce bacteria associated with gum disease.