Non-Surgical Periodontal Care
We want your teeth and gums to be as healthy as possible and will always seek the least invasive (and most cost-effective) treatments first. In the case of periodontal disease, the first non-surgical periodontal service that we perform is a scaling and root planing.
Scaling and root planing is the process of removing plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces with a variety of methods, depending on the amount of plaque and tartar. Dental hygienists traditionally perform scaling by hand. However, new and advanced technology has led to more modern methods such as electric scalers. This sophisticated tool allows dental cleanings to be performed more efficiently and in less time. Both electric and manual scaling methods can be combined to achieve the best results.
Depending on the patient and the condition of their gums, antibiotics or antimicrobials may be administered at the infection site to help fight the effects of the disease.
While non-surgical treatments can quickly and effectively stop the spread of infection and restore gum health without the need for surgery, there are limitations. Scaling and root planing typically requires no further active treatment (other than ongoing maintenance to sustain health), but in rare cases when periodontal health is not achieved because the infection is too deep to reach, surgery may be required for treatment.
