deep cleaning

scaling and root planing

If you've been diagnosed with gum disease, or periodontitis, the most important (but not the only) treatment we prescribe for you is so called deep cleaning. Periodontitis is caused by bacteria living in the build up on the roots of the teeth. These bacteria cause destruction of the surrounding bone with subsequent deepening of gum pockets. Over time, if gum disease is left untreated, the process of bone destruction continues, causing teeth to lose their bone support. They become more and more loose, and eventually fall out completely. Most of the time this process is painless, although sometimes it is accompanied by sporadic gum infection (abscesses) and pus production.

We've developed a systematic approach to the treatment of gum disease. We use all available means of killing the disease causing bacteria: mechanical, chemical and physical. First, we mechanically remove build-up (tar and calculus) with bacteria on it from your teeth by cleaning the root surfaces below the gum line. In the process, we leave the root surface as smooth as possible to prevent future bacterial colonization. This process is deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing. Then we chemically disinfect your gums by irrigating them with anti-bacterial solution in the office. We also give you anti-microbial mouth rinse to use at home. Then we further attack the remaining bacteria by using the physical energy of lasers. We establish a maintenance protocol for you to constantly monitor the condition of your gums and treating them when the need arises.

It is imperative that you stick to the suggested gum disease treatment program in the office, as well as maintaining oral care hygiene routine at home. Remember, once it's been lost, the bone will never grow back! Please help us help you keep your gum disease progressing further.