PERIODONTOLOGY – Everything about dental and root planing
Root planing is one of the most important preventive dental treatments to avoid dental problems.
In this week’s blog from Dental Centar 4Smile, we’ll review that information and explain the additional benefits of dental scaling.
To begin with,
WHAT IS DENTAL SCALING?
Dental scaling is a procedure performed by your dentist, Ivan Antolković, to remove all plaque and tartar that surrounds the tooth above and below the gum line.
By removing tartar buildup, gum health is maintained. That’s why scaling is essential for preventing and treating periodontal issues.
Root planing is not the same as the traditional tartar removal that is done without touching the gum area.
Due to a lack of awareness about dental problems, many people think of dental scaling as a whitening procedure and only opt for it when they notice yellow teeth.
In most cases, dental scaling is needed every one to two years in patients with periodontal pockets and advanced periodontitis.
A less complex tartar cleaning treatment should actually be done every six months for all patients.
HOW IS DENTAL SCALING PERFORMED?
Dental scaling must be performed in a dental office.
When you schedule an appointment at Dental Center 4Smile, you can expect that the scaling procedure may require one or more visits, depending on the severity of the gum infection.
If it’s not a routine scaling but a more advanced infection, you’ll likely need two or three visits with your dentist in Europe, Ivan Antolković.
During the first visit, the scaling procedure will take up to an hour because analyses are needed to determine the amount and complexity of bacterial plaque.
The second visit will take about 45 minutes to treat the remaining two quadrants of the jaw.
Your dentist in Zagreb, Ivan Antolković, will perform scaling using dental tools called curettes and ultrasonic instruments.
The curette is an essential tool for removing plaque buildup that cannot be scraped with a probe or removed by brushing.
Scaling can be done above the gum line (supragingival) and below the gum line (subgingival).
Scaling is usually a painless procedure if your gums are healthy.
However, during the process, you may feel slight discomfort, especially in subgingival scaling or if your gums are sensitive.
To ensure the procedure is completely painless, dentist Ivan Antolković will administer local anesthesia first, then insert the curette into the periodontal pocket to check its depth.
After inserting the curette into the periodontal pocket, Dr. Antolković will scrape plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. Next, he will perform root planing.
In this procedure, he will smooth the surface of your tooth roots using curettes.
Smoothing the root helps the gums reattach firmly to the tooth roots.
If necessary, your dentist will recommend additional gum treatments depending on the condition of your gums and teeth.
In severe cases of gingivitis, surgical treatment may be required, as scaling is only the initial treatment for gum disease.
After the scaling treatment is complete, the dentist will prescribe antibiotics based on the analysis to combat existing bacteria.
WHY IS REGULAR DENTAL SCALING NECESSARY?
Plaque and tartar buildup in the mouth is inevitable.
Saliva, bacteria, and proteins in the mouth create a thin layer that coats the teeth.
While eating and drinking, small food particles, acids, and sugars stick to this thin layer, forming dental plaque.
Dental plaque can cause gum diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and bleeding gums.
Regular brushing with proper technique, flossing, and the use of a water flosser can help remove buildup and prevent gum disease.
However, they cannot fully replace professional dental cleaning, as brushing alone can’t reach certain areas of the teeth, especially near the gum line.
If you maintain healthy gums, they will fit tightly around your teeth.
If gum disease begins to develop, the gums will no longer hug the teeth tightly, causing gradual loosening of the teeth.
It’s important to note that periodontal diseases are often asymptomatic, which is another reason to visit your dentist regularly to prevent progression.
Still, they may have visible symptoms like swollen or red gums.
When left untreated, gum diseases lead to bleeding gums, formation of deeper gum pockets, and plaque buildup – all of which cause bad breath.
Additionally, it is especially important to avoid gum disease during pregnancy, as pregnancy gingivitis can even lead to premature birth.
To prevent all these issues, it’s essential to undergo scaling at regular intervals.
If you’ve already experienced periodontitis, keep in mind that it’s likely to recur without proper care.
Future scheduled check-ups allow the dentist to perform maintenance treatments on teeth that need less attention due to bacterial plaque buildup.
This way, patients can avoid more invasive scaling procedures.
BENEFITS OF DENTAL SCALING
The main benefits of dental scaling include improved tooth stability, better gum health, enhanced taste perception, and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Your natural teeth will be preserved for a long time.
If you follow your dentist’s advice and get regular scalings, the chances of developing gum diseases like gingivitis, periodontitis, or bleeding gums are very low.
Aesthetic benefits for your smile include stain removal from the teeth, giving you a brighter and more confident smile.
Additionally, tartar removal helps eliminate bad breath.
Dental scaling will definitely help maintain the health of your mouth.
With regular treatments, you’ll save money on procedures required to treat diseases caused by excessive tartar and plaque buildup.
DOWNSIDE OF DENTAL SCALING
After the scaling treatment, when the gums are no longer swollen, your teeth might become slightly more sensitive.
But don’t worry, a simple pain reliever will be enough.
Scaling does not damage the teeth in any way; on the contrary, it has numerous benefits for treating and preventing gum disease and improving overall health.
That’s why it’s important to have regular check-ups at Dental Center 4Smile, where your dentist Ivan Antolković will use his expertise to take care of all treatments and procedures you may need.
He can also advise you on preventive measures for healthy teeth!
So, visiting your dentist Ivan Antolković is definitely the right move – and your teeth will thank you for it.
