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Scaling & Root Planing in Santa Monica
At Clove Dental in Santa Monica, we know how serious gum disease can be for your long-term health, not just your teeth. That's why our scaling and root planing treatments are so important.
They're a kind of deep cleaning that helps get your gums healthy again and stops problems from getting worse. We use gentle, effective methods to thoroughly clean your gums and set you up with good habits so your gum health lasts.
What Is Scaling & Root Planing?
In essence, scaling and root planing is a deep, comprehensive cleaning of your gums. The term "periodontal therapy" may also be familiar to you. It is a method of treating inflammation and infections that are concealed behind your gum line.
We meticulously remove all of the germs, diseased fragments, and hardened plaque that is tartar from the surfaces of your tooth roots during this process. This facilitates the normal healing and reattachment of your gums, which hinders the growth of germs.
Signs You Might Need Scaling & Root Planing
Be aware if you notice:
- Gums that leak easily: If your gums bleed frequently while brushing, flossing, or eating, and it does not improve with proper home care.
- Deep gum pockets: If the gaps between your teeth and gums are becoming larger (we assess this at your check-up).
- Bad breath that won't quit: Persistent bad breath that doesn't go away, even with good brushing, might mean a deep bacterial infection.
- Gums that appear to be receding or teeth that are sensitive to heat or cold: If your gums appear to be separating from your teeth, the roots will be visible.
Benefits of Scaling & Root Planing
Getting professional deep cleaning offers a lot more than just getting rid of plaque:
Prevents Gum Disease
By removing the infection, it keeps gum disease from progressing and causing irreversible damage.
Freshens Breath
Long-Term Cost Savings
Improves Overall Health
The Scaling & Root Planing Procedure
Our Santa Monica team uses gentle techniques to make sure your deep cleaning is effective and you're comfortable:
- Examination: We'll do a detailed check of your gums, measuring pocket depths and assessing any infection.
- Getting You Comfy: We use local numbing so you won't feel a thing during the deep cleaning.
- Thorough Cleaning (Scaling): We systematically remove all the plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your tooth surfaces, both above and below the gum line, using special instruments.
- Smoothing the Roots (Planing): We carefully smooth out the tooth root surfaces. This gets rid of bacterial toxins and creates a clean, ideal surface for your gums to reattach.
- Medicine if Needed: We might apply special medicines in the cleaned gum pockets to help control bacteria and promote healing.
- Aftercare Instructions: We'll give you clear instructions on how to care for your gums at home, what to expect during healing, and when to come back for follow-up visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most individuals require periodontal maintenance every three to four months instead of the customary six-month cleanings. By limiting bacterial reaccumulation, this uniformity maintains the benefits of scale and root planing. Your schedule will be customized based on your healing response and risk factors.
