Scaling and Root Planing

In its most advanced stages, gum disease can lead to gum recession and even tooth loss.  Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS wants to make sure it never gets to that point for you and your family!  When plaque builds up on a tooth, the gum starts to pull away from the tooth and form a pocket around the buildup, which only leads to more gum recession.  A scaling and root planing procedure is used to treat this buildup and prevent the later stages of gum disease.

Scaling and root planning are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure your dentist can perform to help reverse the progress of gum disease.  The procedure beings with scaling, which is the process of the dentist removing plaque from the surface of the teeth, all the way down to the gums. Root planing is the term for any minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the root.  When plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that have pulled away will have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to as they heal.

To learn more about deep periodontal cleaning and the other services provided at our practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

Scaling and Root Planing

Lis Bradley, DDS sees patients experiencing every stage of gum disease. Gum disease can progress quickly without a regular oral hygiene routine, but more people are looking for ways to prevent that from happening. For patients who want to protect themselves from later stages of gum disease, scaling and root planing are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure that helps stop gum disease in its tracks.

Scaling is the process of your dentist using various tools to scrape and clean any and all plaque off the surface of the tooth all the way down to the gums.  Root planing is the term for any minor contouring that may be done to reshape the tooth closer to the gums.  Each of these steps is important to complete so the gums have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to.  Local anesthetic is used during this procedure and depending on your case, your dentist may recommend completing the treatment over a series of appointments.

To learn more about scaling, root planing, and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.