Scaling and Root Planing College Park, GA

At MINT dentistry in College Park, GA, our team wants to help all of our patients achieve a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. Ideally, we try to help you stay one step ahead of dental problems by performing proactive oral healthcare, like exams and cleanings. But if you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, routine dental cleanings might not be enough to maintain your dental health. MINT dentistry utilizes modern techniques to treat periodontal (gum) disease, including scaling and root planing (SRP) treatment. SRP is a nonsurgical procedure performed by our MINT dentistry team to clean out plaque and tartar that have accumulated below the gumline within periodontal pockets. This treatment is designed to help control a periodontal infection, heal your gum tissues, and improve your gum health. If you have signs of gum disease, make an appointment for an exam and consultation at our modern practice in College Park, GA. Whether your mouth is already healthy or you have signs of gum disease, we can help you get a sexy, attractive smile with professional, personalized care.

When periodontal disease advances, bacteria that live within the plaque and tartar deposits below the gums cause the gum tissues to pull away from the teeth and the jawbone to deteriorate. During your dental exam, our skilled MINT practitioners will check the depths of your gum pockets and capture dental x-rays to review the amount of bone surrounding your teeth. If the measurements are over three millimeters and we can see bone loss on your x-rays, scaling and root planing treatment may be recommended. Signs of gum disease include chronic halitosis (bad breath), tooth mobility, and tender, inflamed gums that are receding, red, or bleeding. If gum disease is discovered early on, SRP treatment can often manage these symptoms, but if it has developed into later stages (advanced periodontitis), you might need another treatment to boost your oral health.

At our College Park, GA dental office, scaling and root planing is commonly performed under local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the treatment. Our MINT dental professionals may also offer dental sedation options to help you feel more at ease if you experience dental fear or anxiety. Throughout your appointment, you can enjoy relaxing in one of our luxurious massaging treatment chairs. You can also choose music to listen to through our Beats headphones and wear a pair of our MINT shades to protect your eyes. Once you are comfortable, a member of our dental team will utilize hand and ultrasonic instruments to carefully remove the buildup of plaque and tartar under your gumline. We will then meticulously smooth or plane the tooth roots. Developing a healthy, clean area helps the gums to reattach to the tooth surfaces and lessens the locations where disease-causing bacteria can thrive.

After your SRP treatment, your mouth may feel numb for a few hours until the local anesthetic wears off. You may also experience gum tenderness and tooth sensitivity for a day or two. Our MINT dentistry team will discuss recommendations on how to maintain good oral health as your gums recover. We encourage you to follow a proper oral hygiene routine at home on a daily basis, including daily flossing and brushing, to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Our College Park, GA team will likely suggest a periodontal maintenance plan to help control your periodontal disease and help keep active periodontal infections from arising. Generally set up every 3 – 4 months, periodontal maintenance visits are performed in place of six-month dental cleanings and enable us to monitor your gum and jawbone health more closely.

Scaling and root planing is a common procedure for the treatment of gum disease that may be partially covered by dental insurance policies. If you have insurance, our business team will speak to your insurance company to understand the specific coverage of your policy and then calculate any out-of-pocket costs. MINT dentistry in College Park, GA is dedicated to helping patients afford their dental care and accepts a variety of payment methods, including low-interest financing. Ask a team member how we can help you afford the procedures needed to achieve your very best smile with our MINT Discount Plan.

Gum disease damages the structures that support your teeth and can stand in your way of enjoying a healthy, beautiful smile. However, when gum disease is identified early, the condition can often be addressed with scaling and root planing therapy. Please contact MINT dentistry in College Park, GA to schedule your dental exam and consultation. We look forward to surpassing your expectations and helping you show off a healthy, luminous smile.