What to Expect After Care Root Planing & Scaling

Non-surgical treatment is generally the first step in getting control of your periodontal disease. “Root planing and scaling is one of the most effective ways of treating diseased gum tissue,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley,California General and Cosmetic Dental Practice.

When your dentist recommends root planing and scaling you can expect the following: You will be given a local anesthetic to provide additional comfort during the procedure. The dentist or hygienist, in most cases, will utilize special instruments to allow them to scale below the gum tissue and remove debris all the way to the roots of your teeth. Some practitioners will use an ultrasonic instrument.

What you can expect:

1.     You will be numb for a few hours. Be careful of eating or drinking anything that is hot and can burn your tissue until the numbness wears off.

2.     You can brush and floss afterward.

3.     Avoid foods that contain seeds for a couple of days.

4.     To promote healing, avoid use of tobacco products.

5.     Your dentist may review the time between your routine visits and ask that you come in more frequently.

Once you have completed your non-surgical treatment you should see your gums heal and become firm and pink again.