Canadian Academy of Periodontology
The foundation of a healthy smile
Non-surgical Periodontal treatment
Deep cleaning (root planing)
This first step is to reduce the gingival inflammation and thus allow the supporting bone to partially recover. For an optimal result, the oral hygiene must be excellent. This step includes the following:
1- Personalized oral hygiene instructions using techniques and tools adapted to your needs.
2- Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) to remove the plaque and tartar buildup which adheres to the root surface below the gum line. This procedure is not a surgery, but rather a very thorough cleaning (compared to the habitual more superficial cleanings). It is done mainly under local anesthesia (freezing) and usually requires 2 to 4 appointments.
Special instruments are used below the gum line to remove soft and hard deposits from the tooth surface.
To see how these defects form, go to the periodontal disease page.
The irritants have been removed from the root surface.
Deep cleaning does not eliminate deep pockets and may have to be redone periodically.
Once the freezing has worn off, there is usually no pain. However some patients may experience the following side effects:
1- Tooth sensitivity (especially to cold, although temporary, it may last up to 2 months)
2- Contraction of the healing gums (as the inflammation decreases). This may create some spaces between certain teeth.
However, the benefits of the treatment significantly outweigh the potential side effects, especially considering that without the treatment, the teeth would be eventually lost.
Did you know?
Implants
Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, support a denture or restore an entire mouth...