Tooth scaling & root surfacing

Tooth scaling as the name suggests is the process in which your dentist will clean in-between the tooth and the gum, removing all plaque and tartar build up in pockets. The Dental treatment will involve your Periodontist cleaning the entire surface of the tooth including the area below the gum line.

Tooth scaling and root planning treatments are a necessary step in the treatment of gum disease at which point the gums have begun to pull away from the tooth creating vulnerable pockets where bacteria can be trapped. These open pockets must be cleaned as part of the treatment plan for advanced gum disease.

What is Scaling & Root Surfacing

Scaling which is the first stage of treatment is the process of removing hardened plaque which is known as tartar. Just like soft gravy that falls on a stove and hardens, plaque which is a soft sticky gel-like substance attaches itself to the surface of teeth and once left will harden on the tooth; scaling means to remove this hard false surface from tip to root.

Root planning is the procedure involving the removal of any remaining plaque and tartar trapped on the rough areas of the root surface after scaling and then to smoothen the area below the gums to prevent bacteria from moving back in.