Scaling and Root Planning (SRP)

A deep teeth cleaning at the dental office, often known as scaling and root planing, is a procedure done for patients diagnosed with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection that requires the assistance of a dental team to combat. At Farhoumand Dentistry, we encourage patients diagnosed with this condition to educate themselves on the advantages of this treatment and what it can do to prevent serious and irreversible dental problems. Our dental hygienists perform the procedure to remove plaque and tartar that has accumulated below the gum line, preventing serious issues such as bone loss and tooth loss. Read more on how your Hygienist measures your cleaning.

A deep cleaning is considered more intensive than a regular dental cleaning. While regular cleaning focuses on removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the gum tissues and teeth, deep cleaning involves going beneath the gum line to remove buildup in pockets between the gums and teeth. This is necessary because periodontal disease starts below the gum line, where more regular brushing and flossing cannot effectively reach.

During a deep cleaning at our practice, our dental hygienist uses specialized tools to carefully clean these pockets of bacteria. They may also use an ultrasonic scaler, which uses high-frequency vibrations to loosen and remove plaque and tartar. We may also use Arestin, a prescription antibiotic for treating periodontal disease. The procedure may take longer than a standard cleaning, but our team will prioritize your comfort.

After the deep cleaning, our dental team might recommend additional treatments, such as antibiotics or a periodontal maintenance program, to help prevent future buildup and maintain good oral health.

• Prevents the progression of periodontal disease
• Improves overall oral health and oral wellness
• Freshens breath
• Prepares for upcoming restorative treatments
• It saves money for patients in the long run

In a healthy mouth, the gums are tight and firm. When your hygienist measures “periodontal pockets,” they check how far down the gum tissue attaches to the tooth. As we age, or if there are gaps in dental visits or inadequate oral hygiene at home, bacteria can accumulate in the gum tissue. This leads to inflammation, causing the tissue to separate from the teeth, resulting in a gap known as a periodontal pocket. These pockets can trap food particles and promote bacterial growth, harming your gums and bone and potentially leading to periodontal disease. At this point, professional dental intervention is usually necessary.

Healthy gums generally have pocket depths ranging from 1 to 3 millimeters (mm). Once the pocket depth reaches 4 mm or more, seeking professional treatment is essential to prevent further bacteria infiltration, increased inflammation, deeper pockets, and possible tooth loss. The standard treatment for periodontal disease is scaling and root planing (SRP), commonly called a “deep cleaning.” This procedure removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria. At Farhoumand Dentistry, we are committed to providing you with effective treatment options to restore gum and bone health as swiftly as possible. Scaling and root planing are considered the gold standard.

We use a tool known as a periodontal probe to measure gum pockets. This probe resembles a measuring stick for your gums and features black markings at each millimeter (mm), allowing us to gauge the depth of the pockets accurately. Healthy pocket depths typically range between 1 and 3 millimeters (1-3 mm).

Periodontal probing helps us determine the best treatment for your gums and teeth. If you have pockets measuring 4 mm or more, it’s vital to act quickly to prevent the condition from worsening and the infection from spreading. Failing to address the infection can lead to bacteria damaging the bone that supports your teeth.

Well, no cleaning visit would be complete without an exam by one of our dentists. They can confirm if there is an underlying problem that requires treatment. Depending on what our dentists find, we may also need to alter how we clean our teeth. For instance, instead of a standard cleaning, a “deep cleaning” or scaling and root planing (SRP) may be recommended to stop active gum disease from progressing. The CDC reports more than half of American adults aged 30 and older have some form of gum disease. Gum disease not only affects the health of your mouth, but the inflammation and bacteria associated with it have been implicated in a wide range of diseases – from heart disease to Alzheimer’s/dementia.

Instead of cleaning the teeth and at the gumline, SRP also involves removing the “bad stuff” from under the gum tissue. It also includes smoothing rough root surfaces to prevent bacteria and plaque from attaching to them. To ensure we properly manage the disease, some patients will also benefit from periodontal maintenance visits. During these visits, our hygienists use various medications and “irrigations” (water application) to remove and destroy harmful bacteria. Scheduled once every three to four months as needed, these visits are great opportunities for us to see how well your gums are healing and to make appropriate adjustments to your hygiene routine at home or the office.

Chlorhexidine (Peridex) is an antiseptic for adult gingivitis (gum inflammation). Hygienists also place slow-releasing antibiotics such as arestin. Arestin is an antibiotic used to treat gum disease (periodontitis), specifically applied straight into infected gum pockets during a scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure, acting as a localized treatment to target bacteria causing the infection and promoting healing within the gum pockets; essentially, it’s used as an adjunct to standard periodontal therapy to enhance treatment outcomes for patients with moderate to severe gum disease.

Failing to keep up with deep dental cleanings can endanger your natural smile, potentially causing a range of dental problems. This includes concerns like loss of natural bone, tissue, and teeth. Gum recession worsens and leaves more of the teeth exposed to bacteria that can further aggravate the infection. When you act fast after your initial diagnosis of periodontal disease, you can rest easy knowing that you took the proactive steps you needed to take when they were most important! The earlier you treat your periodontal disease, the easier it is to stop, control, and manage with time.