Periodontal Treatment

The bacteria driving gum disease live in hardened deposits on the root surface, below the gumline, where a toothbrush cannot reach. Treatment removes them so that the tissue can heal and reattach.

Scaling and root planing

Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the tooth and root surfaces below the gum. Root planing smooths the root so that the gum can reattach and so that deposits build up less readily. It is normally done with the area numbed, and often over more than one appointment.

Afterwards

• Gums are often tender for a few days and may bleed initially
• Some sensitivity to cold is common as cleaned root surfaces are exposed
• Gums may recede slightly as swelling reduces — this is healing, not further loss
• Pockets are re-measured at a follow-up visit to see how the tissue has responded