Scaling and Root Planing – Lincoln, NE

Stopping Gum Disease from Growing Worse

Sometimes gum disease can be treated with a regular dental cleaning and improved oral hygiene. But what if you’re at the point where that’s not enough? Untreated gum disease only grows more severe, so in order to fight the infection after it reaches a certain point, scaling and root planing are often required as deep cleaning procedures. Our team at Pioneer Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will help make sure you remain completely comfortable while the plaque and tartar attacking your gums is being removed. Call us today to learn more about your options for advanced periodontal therapy.

Female patient and dentist performing root canal therapy in Lincoln, NE

Why Choose Pioneer Periodontics & Implant Dentistry for Scaling & Root Planing?

Focus on Conservative Treatments
Ethical and Personable Periodontal Experts
The Latest in Dental Technology

How Do I Know if I Need Scaling and Root Planing?

Pulling up lip to show signs of gum disease

It’s easier to treat gum disease if it’s caught early, so keep an eye out for possible warning signs. The condition often develops silently during the gingivitis stage, so you may have trouble identifying it without regular dental appointments. However, sometimes noticeable symptoms do appear, such as red or swollen gum tissue, frequent oral bleeding, and tooth sensitivity. And at the more advanced stages, the gums will start to pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots. In a worst-case scenario, the teeth may even start to come loose. Make an appointment with us immediately if you notice any of these issues.

How Do Scaling and Root Planing Work?

Illustration of the scaling and root planing process

During a regular dental appointment, the plaque and tartar containing the harmful bacteria responsible for gum disease is removed. During the scaling process, our focus will be cleaning the areas beneath the gumline that we wouldn’t be able to reach with conventional methods. Special instruments are used to get rid of the bacteria that have built up in your periodontal pockets. After that, it’s time to move on to root planing. This is the process of smoothing out the roots of the teeth. Doing so essentially makes it harder for plaque to reattach itself to the surface, thus lowering the risk of gum disease occurring in the future. Root planing is also an important step for making sure that your mouth heals after periodontal therapy.

Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing

Man standing next to his workstation with arms folded

Gum disease cannot be fully “cured”, but by physically removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your mouth, we can protect you from the long-term effects of the condition. It gives your gums a chance to reattach to the tooth roots, thus lowering your risk of tooth loss. You’ll also be less likely to suffer from infections down the road.

Treating your gum disease can also have benefits for your overall health. Studies have shown that there’s a possible link between gum disease and inflammation all throughout the body; said inflammation can contribute to heart disease and other health issues. Keeping gum disease under control could potentially help protect you from such complications.