Sometimes referred to as ‘deep cleaning,’ scaling & root planing is a non-surgical procedure performed by our periodontal hygienists, and is often the first step in treating periodontal disease. It involves removing the bacteria which includes the soft biofilm that harbors living bacteria and hard deposits of calculus (tartar) from root surfaces that regular brushing and flossing may miss.
This allows your gum tissue to re-attach to the root surface and eliminate/decrease deep pockets. The complete removal of any calculus deposits is critical - without its removal, bacteria remains which makes re-establishing periodontal health not possible. It is a fundamental component of achieving periodontal health – for this reason, all our scaling & root planing is performed with the aid of perioscopy.
A dental endoscope, called a ‘perioscope’ is a tiny oral camera (approximately 2 mm in diameter) that is gently placed under the gumline and allows the hygienist to visualize the entire root surface on a monitor which magnifies the live transmission up to 80 times, ensuring complete removal of these deposits - no guessing or ‘working by braille’. It is especially useful for pockets deeper than 6 mm and the treatment of peri-implantitis.
Although perioscopy is an incredibly effective tool, it needs to be operated by a trained, skillful clinician. Our periodontal hygienists have over 15 000 hours of experience and use it consistently for the treatment of periodontal disease and other specific referrals such as possible root fractures, root caries (cavities) , re-current caries under crowns or fillings and resorption. Each of our hygienists has their own perioscope so your treatment can be scheduled with minimal delay and maintain provider consistency.
During your appointment our hygienists will recommend and demonstrate personalized homecare instructions to prevent future build up and keep your mouth as healthy as possible. We want you to have an exceptional result which entails effective daily plaque removal by you - we are here to support and guide you with the right tools and techniques.
After each treatment our hygienists will provide written communication to your referring dentist of treatment completed, any relevant findings and what homecare tools/methods have been recommended. We live by the ‘all on the same page’ philosophy which will make your transition from your dentist to our office and back again as seamless as possible - and the goal is always to get you back to your original dental home!
What to expect on the day of scaling & root planing
We aim to keep you comfortable and pain free during the procedure, which typically includes the administration of local anesthetic. If you would like to listen to an audiobook, music etc, feel free to bring your personal listening device which can provide a welcome distraction of time in a dental chair!
Most cases will take one hour per quadrant, which can be split into 4 x 1 hour appointments or 2 x 2 hour appointments. Rarely is more time required, but if this is the case, we will let you know and accommodate this (possibly on the same day or schedule more time) - our results are driven by quality care and clinical excellence, not packing the schedule.
We will provide you with a soft blanket and any extra support such as knee bolsters if required. We understand 2 hours is a long time in a dental chair and will make every effort to make your valuable time as comfortable as possible.
Approximately 4-6 weeks following the treatment, Dr Herron will see you for a comprehensive re-evaluation. This separate appointment allows for an accurate assessment of how you responded to the initial treatment. A periodontal maintenance schedule will be recommended at this time if no further treatment is needed.