How Does Scraping the Teeth and Roots Stop Gum Disease Progress? | Excel Dental & Implant Center (2024)

FAQs

Does scaling and root planing stop gum disease? ›

Studies show that tooth scaling and root planing are effective treatments for periodontitis. They can keep you from losing gum tissue, teeth and bone.

Therefore, it is important to understand that removing your teeth will not actually treat or cure your gum disease. However, extractions can be an important part of your overall treatment plan to get your oral health back on track.

Once you have an implant, your risk of developing gum disease does not disappear. Without proper care, you could develop peri-implantitis — another form of gum disease. Peri-implantitis occurs when bacteria builds up and affects gum tissue and bone around a dental implant.

Dentists call the tool in question a scaler or a scraper. It will remove plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth and in your gum line. After a physical exam of your mouth, a dental hygienist will use a scaler on each of your teeth. The more plaque or tartar build-up you have, the longer this process will take.

Does Dental Scaling Hurt? Since scaling and root planing involve removing plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and around the gums, it can cause discomfort. Fortunately, your dentist or hygienist will numb your mouth to keep you comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure.

After scaling and root planing is completed, you may experience slight discomfort around the teeth for several days and increased sensitivity to hot and cold (and sometimes sweets) for up to four to six weeks duration. This is a normal course of healing.

Eventually this causes deep pockets to form between your gums and teeth. These pockets fill with plaque, tartar and bacteria and become deeper over time. If not treated, these deep infections cause a loss of tissue and bone. Eventually you may lose one or more teeth.

When treated early enough, gum disease is reversible. But if you've already lost bone around your teeth due to infection, the disease is too advanced to reverse. However, you can manage it with proper treatment and consistent, diligent oral hygiene.

The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.

As you heal from getting dental implants, your gums will gradually grow around the dental implants to provide support like they do for your natural teeth. However, your dentist will also monitor your gum growth during your healing and recovery process to make sure the gums do not grow over the implant completely.

What is the best teeth replacement for periodontal disease? ›

Dental implant restoration

Dental implants are biocompatible titanium posts placed into the jawbone to replace the lost tooth roots and support a restorative crown, bridge, or dentures. They are one of the best options for restoring missing teeth caused by an accident, gum disease, or other oral health issues.

The good news is that, even with receding gums, it can still be possible to get dental implants. Depending on the severity of your case, treatments can range from addressing the early stages of gum disease to performing a bone graft if bone loss has occurred.

Trauma to the gum tissue isn't just painful, it can also cause gum recession. This means that the gum tissue lowers and exposes the sensitive roots of the teeth. The sharp plaque scraper could also cause injuries to your cheeks, tongue, or other soft tissues.

A dental cleaning is typically a painless procedure because there is no cutting or injecting involved. In some cases, the doctor may drill a tooth if there is a small cavity and put some filling or a sealant. In such cases, there may have tooth pain for a day or two and some teeth sensitivity as well.

While it may be tempting to try and remove tartar on your own, it is not recommended to scrape it off using sharp objects such as dental picks or metal tools. Improper tartar removal can damage the enamel and gums, leading to further oral health issues.

Prevent gum disease - A deep cleaning can help remove build-up that will eventually lead to gum disease.

Results: Overall 39% of the patients reached the successful treatment objective and a mean bleeding on pocket probing tendency of 14%. Treatment success appeared to be dependent on tooth type where the results at single-rooted front teeth (85%) and premolar teeth (78%) were more successful than at molar teeth (47%).

Gum recession can make a smile look less attractive. By preventing gum recession, scaling and root planing contribute to the restoration of a healthy gum line. As receding gums often make teeth look longer and less proportional, doing this might result in a more aesthetically attractive smile.

It is important to get a tooth scaling and root planing procedure if you have any signs of periodontal disease or other serious dental issues. This includes red, swollen, or bleeding gums, receding gums, bad breath, cavities, or loose teeth.