Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is an important component of non-surgical therapy. In layman’s terms, this procedure is best described as a “deep cleaning” performed under local anesthesia, and it is generally performed in several visits. The objective is to reduce inflammation, swelling, gingival bleeding, and probe depths (pockets) around teeth in a non-surgical treatment. In some cases this procedure, along with effective oral hygiene, can diminish the need for periodontal surgery. As with all procedures performed in our office, profound local anesthesia is used, and generally there is minimal discomfort after scaling. The following two examples dramatically depict the decrease in gum inflammation after scaling. Note the changes in the gum tissue appearance from a swollen red purple appearance to a normal coral pink knife-edged margin at the junction of the gum and the tooth.
