Plaque, a soft film of bacteria, is constantly forming on our teeth and around our gums. Sometimes, due to certain medical conditions, medications or a lapse in regular dental cleanings, this plaque may harden and start to form deep beneath your gum tissues and around your bone and may cause periodontal disease as well as things like bleeding and swollen gums, bad breath, discolored teeth, loose teeth, and dental pain.
When deep build up occurs, a traditional dental cleaning will not reach this deep buildup of bacteria and our hygienists and dentists may recommend a procedure called, scaling and root planing, also known as SRP.
Scaling and root planing involves the careful and gentle removal of plaque and hardened plaque (tartar or calculus) from deep within the gum tissue and periodontal pockets.
Periodontal root planing smooths the exposed root surfaces as this makes it harder for bacteria to attach.
After treatment, we might choose to place antibiotics into the pockets around your teeth to help clear up any remaining bacteria, and to help you achieve healthy gums more quickly.
Scaling and root planing may be carried out at a single appointment, but if your condition is particularly severe, we may treat one quarter or quadrant of your mouth as a time in order to keep you comfortable during this procedure. If necessary, we can use local anesthetic.
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