Will I Need More Than One Scaling and Root Planing Treatment?

Getting the professional care needed to treat and manage gum disease is essential to your oral health, general wellness, and the quality of your smile. Scaling and root planing (SRP) therapy is a nonsurgical procedure that treats the periodontitis stage of gum disease, also called periodontal disease. At Premier Periodontics, our periodontal specialists have advanced expertise in performing full-service gum disease care, including scaling and root planing. We offer this periodontal procedure to help patients throughout the Bellevue, Redmond, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Olympia, and Everett, WA areas manage their gum disease condition and enjoy a healthy, vibrant smile for many years to come. Read on as we explain how scaling and root planing works and how many treatments may be needed to maintain your gum health.

How does scaling and root planing work?

Periodontitis is generally caused by a buildup of bacterial plaque and tartar that collects below the gumline and on the surfaces of the tooth roots. To perform scaling and root planing (often referred to as a deep cleaning), we will first numb the gums with a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort throughout the treatment. Our skilled team will then use scaling and root planing instruments and ultrasonic technology to gently yet thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar irritants and smooth the surfaces of the teeth. Perioscopy may also be utilized to further enhance gum disease treatment outcomes. Treating periodontitis with SRP can help arrest the disease process and allow the gum tissues to heal.

When should scaling and root planing be done?

Scaling and root planing may be recommended by our Bellevue, WA periodontists when gum disease has progressed beyond the initial stage of the condition (called gingivitis) and has developed into periodontitis. When this occurs, the gums tend to pull away from the teeth and the bone in the jaw begins to deteriorate. This often leads to the formation of periodontal pockets, or deeper-than-normal spaces between the teeth and gums. Signs and symptoms that often accompany a periodontitis diagnosis include:

• Tender, red, or swollen gums

• Bleeding gums

• Gum recession

• Persistent bad breath

• Bone loss around the teeth

• Plaque and tartar buildup beneath the gumline

• Periodontal pockets over 3mm in depth

How long does scaling and root planing take?

Scaling and root planing treatments at Premier Periodontics are customized to meet individual needs. Our experts will schedule ample time to ensure we address all areas of gum disease within your mouth and accomplish thorough tartar and plaque removal. In general, each deep cleaning visit will take about an hour, which will allow adequate time to numb the gums, treat the affected areas, and review aftercare instructions.

How many SRP treatments will I need?

The number of SRP treatments needed to comprehensively address your periodontitis condition will depend upon the extent to which gum disease is impacting your oral health. In many cases, we treat one quadrant (or quarter) of the mouth at each scheduled visit. These appointments may take place over the course of several weeks. After your SRP treatment is complete, our periodontists may recommend routine periodontal maintenance cleanings, which help control plaque, tartar, and bacterial accumulation and preserve your gum health.

Gum disease care from periodontal experts

When it comes to treating gum disease, visiting a skilled periodontal specialist can offer the highest quality results for your oral health. Premier Periodontics provides treatments to address all stages of gum disease, including scaling and root planing for periodontitis. Schedule a consultation at one of our periodontal offices in Bellevue, Redmond, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Olympia, or Everett, WA to get the expert treatment needed to improve your gum health. We look forward to caring for your smile!