If you’re flossing and you feel a “click,” then that’s either a rough margin of a filling or crown, or most likely calculus. Calculus is the rough stuff that you cannot floss away that builds up along and under the gumline of teeth. On a microscopic level, calculus is very rough and even sharp. You can think of it as tiny razor blades, or like barnacles. The issue is that teeth are held in by a periodontal ligament, which is slightly elastic, so every time a person chews, teeth move a very tiny amount. As teeth move against the gums, the rough calculus presses into, or cuts into the gums just a very tiny amount. This results in gum tissue becoming irritated and often it turns red. Sometimes, when a person is a smoker, or when a person has a dark tint to their gums, the redness is not obvious, but the damage is there nonetheless. The issue is that when gums are irritated and inflamed, they secrete certain inflammatory markers that cause the bone that is holding teeth in place to start shrinking away little by little. The process of bone loss takes a while to develop; it does not happen overnight.
dental planning

“Probing” is the process of measuring the depth of the dental sulcus. It is normally 1-3mm in depth. A probing depth over 3mm is called a “pocket.” A pocket can be a pseudopocket, which means the gums are swollen but there is no bone loss, or a true pocket, which means that there is bone loss present. Oftentimes, there is a combination of swollen gums along with true bone loss. It is important to remove the cause of the irritation, which most frequently is calculus, for the gum inflammation to resolve, and for the bone loss to stop. This is done by anesthetizing the area, and using specialized dental instruments called scalers and curettes, as well as the cavitron when necessary, to dislodge the attached calculus and to ensure that the tooth surface is smooth.

FAQ’S

Is scaling a root planing a painful procedure?

There is some discomfort you may feel but it is not necessarily painful.

What are the advantages of scaling and root planing?

Scaling and root planing is like a deep cleaning procedure that can eliminate bacteria in the early stage of periodontal disease. That way, you get to keep your overall dental health in its best state.

When are scaling and root planing necessary procedures?

The procedure is highly recommended to patients who have spaces in between their gums.

What foods should you avoid after scaling and root planing?

Steer clear of hard, sticky, and acidic foods. Stick to soft nutritious food options instead such as scrambled eggs, soup, pasta, and mashed potatoes. 

Will this treatment hurt?

No, it will not hurt, though there is a discomfort you might feel at first. Overall, it is a pain-free procedure. 

Want to request an appointment?

Yes!