Scaling and Root Planing in Friendswood, TX

For men and women in Friendswood, TX, MINT dentistry wants to help all of our patients achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. We prefer to prevent dental conditions with proactive oral healthcare, like exams and cleanings; however, if you develop signs of gum disease, a standard cleaning may not be enough. MINT dentistry uses advanced techniques to treat the earliest stage of gum disease (gingivitis) through scaling and root planing. SRP (scaling and root planing) is a nonsurgical procedure that is performed by one of our board-certified doctors to reverse the earliest stage of gum disease by removing plaque and tartar that has built up under the gumline. This advanced treatment begins with cleaning out the gum pockets, then the teeth are smoothed or planed to minimize future buildup. If you have reason to believe you are suffering from the beginning stages of gum disease, contact us to make an appointment at our state-of-the-art practice in Friendswood, TX. If you want to improve or maintain your oral health, MINT dentistry can help you get a sexy, attractive smile with diligent, professional care.

During your dental exam, your dentist will look at the pockets of your gums. If the pockets (sulcus) are three millimeters or greater, a scaling and root planing treatment is the most common option. Scaling and root planing (SRP) helps to clean out your gum pockets and reduce their depth by removing built-up tartar and plaque beneath the gumline, which causes the first stage of gum disease (gingivitis). The first signs of gum disease are chronic bad breath, loose teeth, plus tender, inflamed gums that bleed, look red, and are pulling away from the teeth. When gum disease is diagnosed in the earliest stage, a scaling and root planing treatment or multiple SRP treatments can improve the condition, but if it has developed into periodontitis or advanced periodontitis (the later stages), you may require a different procedure.

An SRP or deep periodontal cleaning can be done in our practice with a local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the treatment. Your team of MINT dental professionals can also review stronger sedation techniques to help you with stress or anxiety. At the start of your appointment, you'll relax in a massaging chair. You'll choose music to listen to through our Beats headphones, then we'll give you MINT sunglasses to protect your eyes. Next, the predetermined anesthesia will be administered to ensure you will not feel discomfort. When you've been prepped, your experienced dentist will start with a scaling tool to clean out all the buildup under your gumline. The dentist will then plane (smooth) the exterior of your teeth so there are fewer crevices where plaque, tartar, and bacteria get trapped.

Immediately following your procedure, you may experience extra sensitivity, plus numbness until the local anesthesia wears off. The MINT doctors may write a prescription for antibiotics to eliminate any residual bacteria in your mouth. You need an oral hygiene routine at home, including flossing and brushing at least twice a day, to make your teeth and gums healthy and bright. You should continue to schedule routine cleanings and oral exams so we can assess your oral health. Based on the results of your SRP treatment, we might recommend another treatment to fully reverse the symptoms of gum disease.

Scaling and root planing is a common procedure for the treatment of gum disease that is usually covered at least partially by dental insurance. If you have dental insurance, our team will reach out to your carrier to determine what your policy covers and your remaining costs. If you do not have insurance, MINT dentistry is committed to making necessary oral health treatments affordable by taking many different payment methods, like medical financing, which we can tell you about in your initial consultation. Ask a MINT team member for more information on the MINT Discount Plan, which helps you afford treatments, like scaling and root planing, so you can have sexy teeth.

Periodontal or gum disease negatively impacts your overall health and prevents you from having a truly gorgeous smile. However, the early stage of gum disease, gingivitis, can usually be effectively reversed with one or more scaling and root planing treatments at our office in Friendswood, TX. Contact us to find out your treatment options for gum disease by scheduling a consultation. Our team of dental health professionals will work to restore your gums and help you get sexy teeth.