Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing (SRP) is also commonly called a “deep cleaning.” During a regular cleaning, your hygienist or dentist cleans the visible, or coronal, parts of your teeth by scaling and polishing to remove plaque, calculus and stains. 

The American Academy of Periodontology defines a deep cleaning (or SRP) as “the careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins.” 

[Related: Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Health]

Who Needs Scaling and Root Planing?

First, not every patient needs a scaling and root planing. Your periodontal health determines your need for this procedure. Your dentist or periodontist looks at different factors to determine whether you need an SRP.

They look at factors like these:

• Pocket depths (per periodontal probing)
• Evaluation of bone levels (from examination of radiographs or CT scans)
• Tooth mobility

Plaque and tartar buildup and bacteria that start growing below the gum lines cause deep pocket depths, anything 4 mm and over. (We talked about this in our blog about periodontal disease).

Many factors can also cause bone loss:

• Teeth grinding and clenching
• Malocclusion of the dentition (misaligned or crowded teeth)
• Genetic factors
• Tartar (calculus) buildup on the root surface

The buildup of calculus on the tooth root surface is the most common reason for bone loss. 

These buildups cause the breakdown of the periodontal ligament and supporting bone, which can cause tooth mobility/loss. That means your dentist must remove them.

[Related: Periodontal Surgery]

What Does Scaling and Root Planing Do?

Basically, scaling is the removal of tartar and calculus from the tooth’s surface using ultrasonic scalers, plus hand scalers or curettes. Root planing is a smoothing (like sanding) of the tooth root surfaces. This procedure may remove a microscopic amount of the root surface without damaging your tooth’s health. 

Smoothing the roots helps restore the healthy attachment (ligaments) between the tooth and the bone.

The ligament can only attach to a smooth surface. Therefore, by removing deposits and smoothing the root of the tooth, your dentist increases the ligament’s ability to reattach to the tooth and, in time, create a healthier mouth.

[Related: Endodontic Surgery: Root Amputation vs. Apicoectomy]

What Can You Expect During and After a Scaling and Root Planing Procedure?

Because your teeth are getting cleaned deeper below the gum line, your hygienist may use a local anesthetic or topical to numb the area being worked on. Some pockets aren’t as deep as others, however, and some patients don’t require any numbing. 

The cleaning is usually divided into quadrants: upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left. You can get all four cleaned in one session, or you can break them up. Each quadrant takes about 45 minutes, so many patients break it up into two one-and-a-half-hour sessions. 

After the SRP, your gums may be a little sore. Your teeth may also be a little more sensitive than normal, but that shouldn’t last long. You can solve it by using an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen.

Tobacco use will reduce your gums’ ability to fight infection and heal, so dentists highly recommend quitting the use of spitting tobacco or cigarettes.

Once your SRP is complete, you’ll meet with your periodontist for a reevaluation of your periodontal disease. You’ll either proceed to further treatment or start on a periodontal maintenance program. 

Remember: A deep cleaning is only the first step in stopping or slowing gum disease. Depending on the level of your periodontal disease, the SRP may be the only procedure you need, along with a maintenance program, to keep your gums healthy.

Further treatment is necessary for some patients. Learn more about osseus surgery from us at Cascadia Dental Specialists. The info will hopefully ease your fears!

Contact Cascadia Dental Specialists for Scaling and Root Planing

Contact Cascadia Dental Specialists today for more information on SRP, or book an appointment to get on top of your dental health!