What You Need to Know About Scaling and Root Planing
What You Need to Know About Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and Root Planing, or SRP, is consistently one of the fundamentals of periodontal therapy for gingivitis (gum disease). Scaling and Root Planing is often achieved while utilizing local or even topical anesthetic that enable the therapist to very carefully and accurately clean the surfaces of roots, remove chronic irritants that can cause inflammation under your gums, and get rid of the bacteria that is involved in active gingivitis.
Due to the procedure, the bacteria that was partnered with the irritants is removed as well, which produces a greater, healthier environment for your gums, roots, and bones to heal properly. Most dentist offices, including our own, uses an antimicrobial gel for the spots of your mouth where there is loss of bone and any pockets bigger than 5 mm. The gel remains under your gums for a week; as a result of this procedure and gel, there are fewer surgeries needed than there were 15 years ago.
Once the administration of the anesthetics is done, the other spots of your mouth that are not being treated below the gums are scaled ultrasonically. After this is done, the target areas are cleaned this way as well, then with hand instruments, and then ultrasonically a final time. Why do it a second time? Well, the second ultrasonic cleaning sprays a specific antibacterial rinse, which will clear our debris and eliminate bacteria. Then, the gel we mentioned before is injected below your gums, wherever it is called for. Do not worry, you will not feel it; avoid using a WaterPik machine for ten days after the procedure. Your dentist should then give you that same antibacterial rinse with instructions for use. As a Chicago dentist, I will give you the Periogard rinse.
Now, it is just as important that as a patient, you are involved in the healing process as well! If you are a smoker, then quitting or at least reducing to less than five a day, then that will greatly help your chances of successful recovery.
As far as symptoms post treatment, these are often minimal. There might be some soreness of your gums, a little sensitivity to hot and cold, and maybe some soreness of your teeth but all these only last a few days. If you do experience any severe pain, swelling, fevers, bleeding, etc. then contact your dentist right away. Also, for the first 4-6 hours after your procedure, you might have a little blood in your saliva. Have questions? Then contact Dr. Rubino, a dentist in Park Ridge.
Scaling and Root Planing, or SRP, is consistently one of the fundamentals of periodontal therapy for gingivitis (gum disease). Scaling and Root Planing is often achieved while utilizing local or even topical anesthetic that enable the therapist to very carefully and accurately clean the surfaces of roots, remove chronic irritants that can cause inflammation under your gums, and get rid of the bacteria that is involved in active gingivitis.
Due to the procedure, the bacteria that was partnered with the irritants is removed as well, which produces a greater, healthier environment for your gums, roots, and bones to heal properly. Most dentist offices, including our own, uses an antimicrobial gel for the spots of your mouth where there is loss of bone and any pockets bigger than 5 mm. The gel remains under your gums for a week; as a result of this procedure and gel, there are fewer surgeries needed than there were 15 years ago.
Once the administration of the anesthetics is done, the other spots of your mouth that are not being treated below the gums are scaled ultrasonically. After this is done, the target areas are cleaned this way as well, then with hand instruments, and then ultrasonically a final time. Why do it a second time? Well, the second ultrasonic cleaning sprays a specific antibacterial rinse, which will clear our debris and eliminate bacteria. Then, the gel we mentioned before is injected below your gums, wherever it is called for. Do not worry, you will not feel it; avoid using a WaterPik machine for ten days after the procedure. Your dentist should then give you that same antibacterial rinse with instructions for use. As a Chicago dentist, I will give you the Periogard rinse.
Now, it is just as important that as a patient, you are involved in the healing process as well! If you are a smoker, then quitting or at least reducing to less than five a day, then that will greatly help your chances of successful recovery.
As far as symptoms post treatment, these are often minimal. There might be some soreness of your gums, a little sensitivity to hot and cold, and maybe some soreness of your teeth but all these only last a few days. If you do experience any severe pain, swelling, fevers, bleeding, etc. then contact your dentist right away. Also, for the first 4-6 hours after your procedure, you might have a little blood in your saliva. Have questions? Then contact Dr. Rubino, a dentist in Park Ridge.
