Scaling and Root Planing in Chester Springs, PA

Gum disease is a common oral problem caused by harmful bacteria that live within oral plaque. When gingivitis progresses to the stage of periodontitis, our experienced general dentists may recommend a nonsurgical gum disease treatment to address the condition. Scaling and root planing (SRP) is a periodontal treatment offered at our Chester Springs, PA, practice to help stop the progression of gum disease, decrease tooth sensitivity, and preserve your oral health and smile. With this procedure, our team removes accumulated plaque and tartar from below the gumline, creating smooth tooth surfaces and a healthier oral environment. If you are noticing bleeding gums, inflammation, that your teeth are sensitive to cold, or other symptoms of gum disease, schedule a periodontal evaluation with our dentists at Byers Station Dental.

A number of symptoms may indicate the presence of gum disease, including chronic bad breath, gum recession, gums that bleed when you brush or floss, and gums that are are tender, red, or swollen. At your dental exam, our Chester Springs, PA team will screen for gum disease by taking x-rays of your mouth and measuring the spaces between your teeth and gums. If periodontal pockets are greater than three millimeters and bone loss is evident on your radiographs, a scaling and root planing treatment might be recommended. SRP cleans the tooth surfaces beneath the gumline, which can help decrease the depths of the gum pockets and arrest the disease process. If advanced periodontitis is diagnosed, a surgical method of care may be recommended.

SRP is a deep cleaning procedure and sensitive teeth treatment in Chester Springs, PA, that may be performed over the course of 1 – 4 visits at Byers Station Dental. Our team will administer a local anesthetic to help increase your comfort during the procedure. We might also suggest sedation techniques if you are feeling anxious about having SRP performed. Once you are comfortable, our well-trained dental hygienists will use ultrasonic and hand scaling instruments to carefully clean the plaque and tartar from below the gumline. They will subsequently smooth or plane the tooth root surfaces beneath the gumline, which can allow the gums to firm up and tighten against the teeth as they heal. In some cases, locally delivered antibiotics may also be placed during SRP treatments to help enhance results.

Following your SRP therapy, your gums may feel a little tender for a few days. However, this can often be alleviated with warm salt water rinses or over-the-counter pain relievers. It is essential to follow good flossing and brushing habits each day to minimize plaque, tartar, and bacterial accumulation. Our sensitive gum dentists may also recommend a periodontal maintenance program for you, which includes very thorough cleanings and periodontal evaluations every 3 – 4 months. These visits replace biannual dental cleanings (which may be insufficient for managing periodontitis) and can help you maintain gum and bone health.

SRP is a common procedure for the treatment of gum disease and may be covered in part by dental insurance. We can contact your insurance provider to learn about your coverage details and determine your personal costs. If you do not carry dental insurance or have out-of-pocket expenses, please talk to our team about the convenient payment options offered at Byers Station Dental.

Periodontal disease can progress and cause further damage to your health and smile without professional intervention. At Byers Station Dental, our dentists and team routinely screen for gum disease and offer skilled scaling and root planing care to treat the periodontitis stage of the condition. For more on nonsurgical SRP and other periodontal treatment options, please get in touch with our friendly Chester Springs, PA practice and reserve your consultation today.