Looking for a scaling and root planing specialist in Addis Ababa ? We can help. Call Our dental clinic in Addis Ababa to schedule an appointment and get treated by our certified periodontics dentists.
Call us to request a scaling and root planing appointment at our dental clinic near you in Addis Ababa today.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling involves the use of manual and ultrasonic instruments to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth.
Root planing is the process of removing cementum (the thin protective layer on the surface of the root) and dentin (the inner layer of the tooth) that has become rough, fused with tartar, or has become infected with microorganisms and bacteria.
It is a dental surgery used to treat gum disease also known as periodontal disease.
Visit our dental clinic in Addis Ababa to get treated quickly if you get any symptoms of gum disease.
Read also : Top 10 Dentists in Addis Ababa
When do I need a scaling and root planing treatment ?
If your mouth shows signs of chronic periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend dental scaling and root planing.
This surgery can help stop the harmful effects of gum disease condition and keep your mouth healthy.
Periodontal disease develops when bacteria in plaque causes your gums to recede from your teeth.
Large pockets form between your teeth and gums, which encourages the growth of bacteria that you can’t reach by brushing your teeth at home.
That’s why it’s essential to floss regularly to reach the places that toothbrushes can’t.
Without treatment, chronic periodontal disease can lead to :
- Bone and tissue loss
- Tooth loss
- Loose teeth
- Tooth displacement
Here are some of the reasons why you may develop this condition:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Smoking
- Aging
- Hormonal changes
- Poor diet
- Family history
- Other medical conditions
With chronic periodontal disease, you may have deep pockets between your gums and teeth, but there are other symptoms of this condition, including
- Bleeding gums
- Inflamed, red or tender gums
- Bad breath
- Shifting permanent teeth
- A change in your bite
Why is scaling and root planing necessary?
Bacteria that live in our mouths feed on the sugars we eat and combine with the food to form a sticky, acidic substance on the teeth called plaque.
Plaque forms in our mouths every day, and it builds up on our teeth and gums.
If left in the mouth too long, plaque calcifies into tartar (also called calculus) and becomes harder to remove on your own.
Plaque and tartar left on your teeth and gums cause a bacterial infection which, in the early stages of gum infection, is known as gingivitis.
That’s when scaling and root planing come to the rescue to help keep your mouth clean.
Scaling removes plaque and tartar and root planing evens out the root surface so that plaque can be cleaned more easily.
These procedures help prevent plaque and tartar buildup and allow the gum tissue to heal.
Untreated periodontal disease can lead to tooth and bone loss.
Brushing your teeth twice a day with a toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste will help prevent dental problems by removing plaque safely and effectively.
Daily flossing helps clean between the teeth and below the gum line to prevent gingivitis and cavities
How does the treatment goes
Schedule a scaling and root planing now with our dental surgeon.
Tooth scaling and root planing is performed in our dental clinic in Addis Ababa.
You may need to schedule one or more visits for the procedure, depending on how severe your condition is.
A local anesthetic may or may not be used by our dentist to ease the discomfort of the procedure. If you are concerned about pain, you should discuss it with your dentist.
The first thing your dentist will do is scale your teeth.
This consists of scraping away all the plaque on your teeth and in the large pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums.
Then, following this, your dentist in Addis Ababa will perform root planing.
Your dentist will use a scaling tool to smooth the roots of your teeth.
The smoothing process helps your gums reattach to your teeth.
Depending on the health of your teeth and gums, your Addis Ababa dentist may also recommend additional treatment.
The dental surgeon may use antimicrobial agents in your mouth or prescribe oral antibiotics to take for several days to speed up healing.
Also, a process called reliable host modulation may be performed by your dentist in which additional medications are injected directly into your gums to help correct the adverse effects of long-term periodontitis or minimize the risk of infection after your surgery.
Conventional dental tools are typically used to perform the procedure, including a scaler and a curette.
However, alternative instruments are available for tooth scaling, such as lasers and ultrasonic devices.
In addition, your dental surgeon may recommend a thorough disinfection of the mouth.
Some advices for after the treatment
After a thorough cleaning, you may experience pain for a day or two and tooth sensitivity for up to a week.
Your gums may also be swollen, tender and bleeding.
To prevent infection, control pain and help you heal, your dental professional will prescribe a pill or mouthwash.
Your dentist will also insert a medication (subantimicrobial doxycycline) directly into the pocket that has been cleaned.
The dental surgeon will schedule another visit to see how your gums have healed and to measure the depth of your pockets.
If they have become deeper, additional treatment may be necessary.
Good dental care at home is essential to prevent gum disease from getting worse or recurring.
This includes brushing twice a day with a soft brush, cleaning interdental spaces daily with floss, eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking and seeing your dentist regularly.
Feeling gum inflammation or tooth pain without any apparent reason ? Consult our dentists in Addis Ababa to figure out what you’re going through.
