Scaling and Planing of Teeth by Your Fort Lauderdale Periodontist

One of the most common procedures we perform in our Fort Lauderdale office is called scaling and root planing.

This procedure is a basic form of treatment for gum disease.

Scaling refers to the removal of tartar (or calculus) and plaque on your teeth. This procedure focuses mainly on the part of your tooth that is below the gum line (the periodontal pocket).

Remember, tooth plaque is sticky and full of bacteria. Over time, plaque hardens into calculus.

Plaque is more likely to stick to rough surfaces than smooth surface. Because of this, the root surface is made smooth – that’s what we call root planing. Root planing removes any remaining calculus and smooths irregular areas so that plaque will have a harder time in the future of being able to grab hold as easily and as readily.

Adequately cleaning a periodontal pocket takes time and skill and many feel it is most the technically demanding procedure performed by dentists and hygienists. Often a local anesthetic is used to assure patient comfort.

Learn more about how we treat advanced gum disease – speak with a Ft. Lauderdale periodontist today

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700