Is Scale and Root Planing Painful?

Both the question and answer are relative to your pain threshold and the extent of the scaling and root planing necessary. The short answer is no; the procedure is not painful. You will experience some discomfort upon completion, but the actual process can be completed with the administration of a local anesthetic to the soft tissue to minimize any unpleasant feelings during the procedure.

Why You Might Need Scaling and Root Planing?

Just shy of half of the American adults today have some form of gum disease. The way to get rid of gum disease is to do away with the source. Every day, each of us has millions of bacteria in our mouths. If allowed to remain, they develop a clear, sticky material on our teeth called plaque. The plaque continues to collect particles, sugars, and acids, and these factors will soon attack the enamel of the teeth. If you do not remove this plaque, it will progress down the tooth and then below the gum line. When this occurs, the plaque immediately starts an infection in the soft tissue. Your gums can become tender to the touch, become swollen, and begin to recede and sag away from the teeth, which now allows these pockets to harbor even more unwanted particles. If you go through the scaling and root planing process, you will remove the primary source of the infection, and the gums will immediately begin to heal naturally.

What is the Scale and Root Planing Process

Just like having your teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist or hygienist, the same handheld tool will be used to meticulously scrape the stubborn plaque off the surface of the enamel. Some dental offices might use an ultrasonic instrument that has a vibrating tip to remove the plaque. Either way, it is a manual process in which the time spent is completely dictated by the amount of plaque and the condition of your gums. The numbing effect of the anesthetic will negate any pain during the procedure. When the plaque and tartar are removed, the tooth and root will be smooth again, such that the gums will heal, close, and seal around the tooth. The treatment can be done in one appointment or in four quadrants, depending on the amount of plaque to remove.

Discomfort Through Healing

Initially, your gums will be sore and tender. With the plaque removed, they will heal very quickly, as evidenced by the nice pink color they return to.

The Benefits of Having the Scale and Root Planing Procedure

It is really the only way to reverse gum disease. Once you have participated as a patient, you will be strongly encouraged to begin and maintain your good oral hygiene at home. This simply consists of what the health industry suggests: brushing slowly twice a day and flossing at least once. These two simple efforts remove plaque daily, which prevents it from reaching the base of the tooth. You will also be advised to schedule a dental appointment twice a year for regular, preventative evaluations and professional cleaning to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Of course, there is always that invaluable asset, your smile, that benefits as well.

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