Scaling and Root Planing in Brentwood, MD

At MINT dentistry, our goal is to help patients of all ages attain a beautiful, healthy smile, no matter what their dental needs or goals might be. We strive to help you avoid dental problems by recommending annual exams and biannual cleanings; however, if you have signs of gum problems, your normal cleaning twice a year might not be enough. Our team utilizes modern equipment and techniques to help arrest the progression of gum disease with scaling and root planing (SRP) treatment. Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical procedure performed to clear away tartar and plaque buildup that has collected below the gumline, within periodontal pockets that develop between the teeth and gums. This procedure is designed to help manage the periodontitis stage of gum disease, heal the gums, and boost overall oral health. If you think you might have gum disease, contact our Brentwood, MD office to schedule an exam and periodontal evaluation. Regardless of the condition of your teeth and gums, our MINT dental professionals will work to help you achieve a gorgeous, healthy smile.

Periodontitis is commonly caused by harmful oral bacteria that live within tartar and plaque deposits. When periodontitis occurs, the gum tissues have begun to pull away from the root surfaces and the bone surrounding the teeth begins to break down. During your annual exam, your MINT dentist will evaluate your periodontal pockets and take radiographs to visualize the amount of bone surrounding your teeth. When the periodontal pockets measure three millimeters or greater and we can detect bone loss on your radiographs, scaling and root planing treatment may be recommended. The first signs of periodontitis are often chronic bad breath, gum recession, bleeding gums, and red, tender, or swollen gums. If gum disease is discovered early on, scaling and root planing can help treat and control the condition. If it has progressed to advanced periodontitis (the later stage), you may require a different procedure to improve your oral health.

Commonly referred to as a "deep periodontal cleaning," scaling and root planing removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria that have accumulated within the periodontal pockets beneath the gumline. To help ensure your comfort during scaling and root planing procedures, we administer local anesthesia to numb the areas being treated. Your team of MINT dental professionals can also provide dental sedation options if you experience dental fear or anxiety. Before your procedure begins, we'll have you relax in an extremely comfortable, massage-style treatment chair. After selecting your choice of music and putting on a pair of our Beats headphones, we'll give you our signature MINT sunglasses to help you feel at ease. When you've been prepped, one of our gentle dental practitioners will implement advanced instruments to scale the plaque and tartar deposits that have built up in the periodontal pockets. Your hygienist will then skillfully perform root planing, smoothing the root surfaces. Leaving behind a healthy, clean surface encourages the gumline to reattach to the teeth and decreases the area where destructive plaque and tartar can reform.

Once your scaling and root planing treatment is complete, your gums will likely still be numb. It's best to wait until the numbness wears off before eating. You may have tenderness in your gum tissues and temperature sensitivity for the next few days. Our MINT dentistry team will provide post-op tips on how to maintain good oral health as your gums heal. It's extremely important to follow a proper dental care routine at home each day, which includes thorough brushing and flossing. Our Brentwood, MD dental experts may recommend a periodontal maintenance plan to manage your periodontal health and help prevent active infections from flaring up. Generally set up on a quarterly basis, periodontal maintenance visits are performed in place of routine prophylaxis services and enable our dentists to closely monitor the health of your gums and jawbone.

A portion of the scaling and root planing cost may be covered under certain dental insurance plans. If you have dental insurance, our team will contact your insurance company to review your plan and then calculate any out-of-pocket costs. MINT dentistry in Brentwood, MD is dedicated to helping patients afford the care they need for better oral health. We accept several payment methods, including low-interest financing, which can be discussed during your consultation. Ask us for more information on the MINT Discount Plan, which can help make your dental care even more affordable.

Gum disease is an oral condition that can damage your teeth, gums, and jaw and stand in the way of a healthy smile. When gum disease is caught early, the condition can often be treated with nonsurgical scaling and root planing. If you have the signs or symptoms of gum disease, please reach out to MINT dentistry in Brentwood, MD to schedule an appointment. Our dental health professionals look forward to helping you improve your gum health and achieving a healthy, luminous smile.