Scaling and Root Planing in The Woodlands, TX

Patients who have passed the gingivitis stage of periodontal (gum) disease might benefit from a nonsurgical procedure called scaling and root planing (SRP). Caused by harmful bacteria in the gums, periodontitis occurs when the tissues that provide a foundation for the teeth start to break down. Made Ya Smile Dental performs SRP to prevent the disease from leading to tooth loss or other serious issues by removing plaque and tartar from the areas where bacteria tend to hide. This treatment soothes the teeth, allowing the gums to reattach to the root surfaces again while reducing the length of the deep pockets in the gums. At our clinic in The Woodlands, TX, our experienced dentists can treat periodontal infection and prevent further bone loss in the jaw. If you experience symptoms, such as chronic bad breath, bleeding or inflamed gums, or a receding gumline, call our staff for a consultation and custom treatment plan. 

When you schedule a consultation, Made Ya Smile Dental will assess your overall oral health, including the health of your teeth and gums, to see if periodontal disease is affecting your smile. Our practitioners will measure your periodontal pockets, the area between the gums and teeth, to see if the depth is greater than 3mm. We will also take low-radiation digital x-rays of your mouth to see if the disease has caused any bone loss. If there is evidence of bone loss, we may suggest root scraping and scaling to lessen the effects of periodontal disease and help your symptoms of bleeding, sore, or tender gums, gum recession, and bad breath. It's best to treat periodontal disease before it reaches the advanced periodontitis stage, where you will need oral surgery.

While scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical procedure, Made Ya Smile Dental realizes that some patients may have dental anxiety — so we offer several sedation options at our clinic in The Woodlands, TX. When you arrive for the treatment, our practitioners will first numb the area while one of our hygienists uses advanced, state-of-the-art ultrasonic and scaling instruments to eliminate plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the root surfaces of your teeth. After cleaning out the periodontal pockets, Made Ya Smile Dental applies localized antibiotics to keep bacteria from returning. Depending on how many teeth require the treatment, SRP typically can be completed in just one appointment. By scheduling a consultation as soon as possible, you can minimize the amount of damage to your teeth and gums and prevent the infection from spreading. 

The assistants and staff at Made Ya Smile Dental will provide you with helpful information following your treatment for scaling and root scraping, including ways to minimize discomfort and how to take care of your teeth moving forward. During recovery, we ask that you avoid eating or drinking until the anesthetic wears off and the feeling returns to your face and mouth. You may experience some soreness or tenderness in the gums, as well as tooth sensitivity for a few days following the procedure. With periodontal scaling and root planing near you in The Woodlands, TX, the goal is to minimize pockets where bacteria cause damage so remember to keep brushing and flossing after each meal. Made Ya Smile Dental may recommend coming in for regular cleanings or treatment every 3 – 4 months, depending on your unique situation.

Periodontal scaling and root planing near you in The Woodlands, TX enables the deep cleaning you need to prevent periodontal disease from becoming advanced periodontitis, which means that a dental insurance plan may pay for your procedure. Made Ya Smile Dental takes most PPO plans and can submit the claims on your behalf for your convenience. For those who have out-of-pocket costs, we will review these with you before we begin the treatment. To make the SRP procedure more affordable, we take many forms of payment, as well as CareCredit®. 

Is the scaling and root planing procedure painful?
No, the treatment should not be painful. During the scaling and root planing procedure in The Woodlands, TX, your Made Ya Smile dentist will use a type of anesthetic or sedation to prevent pain. While most patients will only need an anesthetic at the treatment site, some patients who might need more extensive work could be candidates for a heavier type of anesthetic or sedation.

What aftercare instructions will I be given following scaling and root planing treatment?
After your SRP procedure at the Made Ya Smile office in The Woodlands, TX, you may experience increased gum and tooth sensitivity and brief numbness from the anesthetic. As part of your scaling and root planing home-care instructions, our team may prescribe antibiotics to help minimize any remaining harmful bacteria in or around your gums. You will need to keep up a healthy oral care routine at home, including proper flossing and brushing. These measures will keep your teeth healthy, gums clean, and help stave off periodontitis. Our team may also provide you with guidance on what to eat after scaling and root planing and what not to do after scaling teeth. Depending on the condition of your gums following the scaling and root planing procedure, a second procedure may be necessary to restore the health of your gums and teeth.

How long will it take for the gums to heal after scaling and root planing?
After a scaling and root planing procedure in The Woodlands, TX is over, some irritation and discomfort are natural, and you may have more sensitivity to hot or cold drinks and food. The soreness typically goes away following 3 – 5 days, but you may feel increased sensitivity for up to a month.

While gum disease cannot be cured, Made Ya Smile Dental can help protect the integrity of your teeth, gum tissue, and bones by treating the condition with a simple nonsurgical procedure. Periodontal scaling and root planing near you helps minimize the risk of tooth and bone loss to treat periodontitis before it progresses. If you are experiencing symptoms, such as red, sore, or inflamed gums, chronic bad breath, or bleeding of the gums, contact our team in The Woodlands, TX right away to schedule a consultation.