Scaling is a procedure that meticulously removes contamination toxins, micro-organisms, plaque, tartar, cementum, dentin that is rough and/or permeated by calculus from around, below and under the gum line down to the bottom of the pocket. This is done to remove biofilm, calculus, and toxin down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket in order to obtain a healing response.
Because this procedure goes deeper than a regular cleaning, your mouth may be numbed. Depending on the extent of the disease you may need one or more sections (quadrants) of the mouth to treated with scaling and root planing. Treatment may require one or more visits.
Root planing involves smoothing the root surfaces of your teeth with thin curettes so gum tissue can firmly reattach. The procedure makes it more difficult for plaque to accumulate along the root surfaces.
Be careful not to bite or chew your lip, cheek or tongue while they are numb. Avoid chewing for 2 hours after this procedure or until numbness has worn off.
In most cases patients experience no discomfort or at the most, mild discomfort. If this should occur the following is suggested: