Scaling and Root Planing in Spring, TX

To treat periodontal (gum) disease that has worsened past the point of gingivitis, scaling and root planing (SRP), sometimes referred to as root scraping, is a nonsurgical procedure that can be used. Periodontitis is a stage of gum disease that occurs when the bone and tissues that support the teeth begin to break down. This disease is caused by bacteria that live under the gums and can be kept from advancing through the use of SRP. This procedure helps you avoid tooth loss by allowing us to remove plaque and tartar deposits from the teeth where destructive bacteria like to hide. It smoothes the surfaces, letting your teeth reattach to the root surfaces and reduce the depth of existing periodontal pockets. Performed by our skilled team at Made Ya Smile Rayford, SRP can help treat an active periodontal infection and protect your jaw from further bone loss. You may have periodontal disease if you are suffering from symptoms such as bleeding and inflamed gums, a receding gumline, or bad breath. A treatment consultation can help you understand if these or other gum disease symptoms are affecting your life. Call us today to schedule a visit with our team at our Spring, TX office for scaling and root planing care near you.

We will evaluate your gum and bone health to find out if gum disease is affecting your health, and smile when you come into our office for a consultation. Gum inflammation and bone loss around the teeth are usually present in those suffering from this disease. Our periodontist and team will take high-definition digital x-rays to find out how advanced the gum disease is and see if it is impacting the bone that supports your tooth. This x-ray will also show the depth of the periodontal pockets (space) between your gums and teeth, which will help determine the course of your treatment. For pockets that are over 3mm in depth in patients who also have evidence of bone loss, it may be recommended that you undergo a scaling and root planing treatment for the infection.

Gum disease might be present if your gums bleed when you brush and floss, or if you have tender or red gums, swelling of the gums, bad breath or malodor, or gum recession. It's important to treat this infection while it is in the periodontitis stage to prevent it from advancing. Gum surgery may be required to restore oral health in patients who have advanced periodontitis.

While scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical procedure, the gum tissues will be numbed to make you as comfortable as possible during your treatment. Some options are available for sedation dentistry if you experience dental fear or anxiety. After numbing your gums and ensuring you are comfortable, special ultrasonic and scaling instruments will be used to rid the root surfaces of your teeth of plaque and tartar deposits that harbor harmful bacteria. Your periodontal pockets will be flushed out, and some localized antibiotics may be placed in order to help control the growth of bacteria. Depending on your needs, SRP may be completed in one or more appointments. The number of teeth in your mouth affected by this gum disease will determine the number of treatment sessions required. You can minimize bone loss and the spread of periodontal infection in your mouth by partnering with our experienced periodontist and skilled hygiene team as soon as possible.

The recovery period following your SRP periodontal treatment for gum disease will last a few days. Our at-home care instructions following scaling and root planing treatment include refraining from eating until the local anesthetic fully wears off on the day of your treatment. In the days following, your gums may be a little tender, and you may experience some tooth sensitivity. The Made Ya Smile team will give you some tips and tricks for minimizing post-op discomfort. This treatment attempts to encourage your gums to reattach to the teeth and minimize the pockets where bacteria can live and cause damage. Brushing and flossing thoroughly every day can help keep bacteria and plaque to a minimum. Our hygienists will train you in the ideal methods of home care that will make it as effective as possible. Once you complete your SRP procedure, our periodontist may recommend periodontal maintenance visits every 3 – 4 months to aid in the maintenance of your oral health.

A portion of your scaling and root planing procedure may be covered by your dental insurance. Made Ya Smile works with many PPO plans and will happily submit your claim for your convenience. Before your SRP procedure, we will make you aware of any out-of-pocket costs. Affordable care for our patients is important to us, and to help our patients get the care they need, we accept third-party financing through CareCredit® along with several other convenient payment options.

Does SRP hurt?
Here at our Spring, TX office, we often get questions regarding the pain levels of this treatment. Do not worry about significant pain or discomfort following this treatment, as we make sure to administer mild local anesthesia to the procedure site. This should prevent any discomfort or sensitivity that would otherwise arise during the treatment.

Can I eat after my scaling and root planing procedure?
While you may experience mild discomfort following your procedure, food is allowed even on the day of treatment. We recommend that our patients stick to cold and softer foods for the first 24 hours after treatment. Your irritation and inflammation should reduce quickly following the procedure as well, allowing you to feel comfortable eating the foods you like.

What should I not do after scaling and root planing?
There are some restrictions that we recommend to achieve our patients' optimal healing following their SRP procedures. You will want to avoid rinsing or scrubbing your mouth for 24 hours after treatment. In addition, avoid sticky, acidic, and spicy foods in an effort to reduce further inflammation in your gums.

No cure is available for gum disease, but it's possible to treat the condition and assist you in protecting the health of your smile. Treating your gum disease early is key to minimizing the risk of bone loss, which can lead to tooth loss in the future. By receiving nonsurgical periodontal scaling and root planing treatments for your periodontitis from Made Ya Smile, we can help you prevent advanced periodontitis. Call our friendly Spring, TX practice today to schedule a gum disease consultation and find out more about treatment with scaling and root planing.