Scaling and Root Planing

During regular prevention, one of our dental hygienists uses special techniques and dental instruments to gently yet thoroughly lift surface stains, bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the teeth and gum line. During SRP, we access the areas underneath the gumline to remove stubborn and destructive deposits from the teeth and their roots. True to its nickname, SRP is a deeper type of cleaning than its standard counterpart.

The first step is to apply a local anesthetic to ensure utmost comfort. Once the tissues are fully numbed, we use special tools, technologies, and techniques to access and remove the likes of resistant hardened plaque or tartar from the teeth and the pockets or spaces that form between the teeth and gums as part of the disease process. This step is known as “scaling.” Once completed, we move on to the “planning” part, which effectively cleans the surfaces of the roots of the teeth to smooth away tartar. Smooth surfaces are less likely to attract and accumulate tartar in the future. Antibiotics may also be applied at the time of treatment.

As a nonsurgical therapy, SRP is largely well-tolerated and does not require extensive recovery. Your gums may feel tender and swollen. We can advise on easing uncomfortable symptoms and promoting fast and predictable healing. It is also important to keep follow-up appointments with Dr. Puri as advised. She needs to assess how well your gums are healing. From there, further recommendations may be made for treatment. In general, many patients require no additional treatment or surgery. But SRP is certainly not for everyone. If periodontitis has progressed to where supportive tissues and bone have been eroded, regenerative therapies (such as grafting) will likely be in your future.