Is Scale and Root Planing Painful?

Everyone has bacteria, proteins, and saliva in their mouth, which form a protective layer around their teeth, which in turn prevents small sugars, acids, and particles from food you eat from adhering to this layer, that would otherwise create a buildup of plaque. When too much plaque accumulates, bacteria begins to eat away at the gums and teeth, and decay begins to occur.

Brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular dental exams are effective methods for preventing this decay from happening, but even when following these best practices, patients are still at risk of developing gum disease. Gum disease is identified by measuring the depth of pockets of your gum. Healthy gums typically have a depth of 1-3 millimeters below the gum line, whereas gums affected by gum disease have pockets at, or in excess of, 4 millimeters. If your dentist has determined your pockets have reached this depth, they may recommend a scaling and root planing in cary north carolina procedure.

It is common for people to assume that a scaling and root planing procedure is painful. Although there is some discomfort associated with this procedure, any discomfort can be minimized through sedatives, if necessary. It is also important to be aware that leaving this issue untreated will result in significantly comprised oral health, which can lead to the need for more painful and expensive procedures.

What is Involved in the Scaling and Root Planing Procedure?

The dental scaling process typically begins with the area where the scaling and root planing is being performed being numbed with a local anesthetic. Once properly numbed, your dentist will begin removing plaque from the surface of your teeth below your gum line. They will either use a handheld instrument (dental scaler and curette), which allows them to scrape the plaque off the tooth and below the gum line in areas that are not accessible by your toothbrush, or an ultrasonic instrument, which combines a metal tip that vibrates and removes tartar, along with a water spray that flushes the pocket out.

Once the scaling process is complete, the root planing will be performed. Root planing is similar in nature to the scaling procedure, but involves reaching the surface of the root of your teeth, which is then smoothed out, allowing the gums to reattach correctly.

What Does the Procedure Feel Like?

Patients who have sensitive gums may find the scaling and root planing process to be mildly uncomfortable. If this is the case, your dentist may use an anesthetic to numb your gums to reduce discomfort. If you are uncertain or uncomfortable with the prospect of having this procedure performed, talk to your dentist or periodontist about what options are available for desensitizing the area. The dental scaling and root planing process may require several visits, with each visit focused on treating one section of the mouth. Periodontists will typically divide this treatment process into four quadrants or two halves. Patients with less severe gum disease may be able to have the entire process performed in one visit, though the procedure time will tend to be lengthier.

More on Scaling & Root Planing / Deep Teeth Cleaning : How Much Does Scale & Root Planing Cost?