Scaling and Root Planing Washington, DC

MINT dentistry in Washington, DC wants to help patients of all ages and walks of life achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. We prefer to help you stay one step ahead of dental conditions by performing regular checkups and dental cleanings; however, if you have symptoms of periodontal problems, your normal cleaning twice a year might need extra help. MINT dentistry uses modern techniques to address the advancement of gum disease through scaling and root planing (SRP) therapy. SRP is a simple option provided by our MINT dentistry team to clear away tartar and plaque deposits that have collected below the gumline, the spaces between your teeth and gums. This treatment works to help treat active periodontitis, heal the gums, and boost the health of your gums. If you have reason to believe you are suffering from gum disease, schedule a consultation at our modern office in Washington, DC. Regardless of the condition of your mouth and gums, MINT dentistry will help you get a sexy, attractive smile with experienced, professional care.

When periodontal disease advances, destructive oral bacteria that live within the plaque and tartar deposits cause the gums to pull away from the tooth surfaces and the jawbone to deteriorate. During your dental examination, we will evaluate the pockets of your gums and take x-rays to review the amount of bone supporting your teeth. If the depths are greater than three millimeters and we can detect bone loss on your images, scaling and root planing treatment may be recommended. A few of the symptoms of gum disease are often chronic halitosis (bad breath), tooth mobility, and tender, inflamed gums that bleed easily, appear red, or are receding. When gum disease is diagnosed in the earliest stage, scaling and root planing services can decrease the condition; however, if it has progressed to advanced periodontitis (the later stages), you may need another treatment to meet your periodontal needs.

A deep periodontal cleaning with scaling and root planing (SRP) can be done in our Washington, DC practice with your gums numbed using local anesthesia. We may also recommend one of our sedation dentistry techniques if you feel anxious or stressed about having this procedure. To start your SRP treatment, you'll relax in a massage chair. Once you've put on a set of Beats headphones and selected some music, you will be given some sleek MINT shades to protect your eyes. After you've been prepped, one of our gentle dental practitioners will utilize hand and ultrasonic instruments to carefully remove plaque and tartar accumulation within your periodontal pockets. Our team will then meticulously plane (smooth) the tooth roots. Creating a smooth, healthy area helps the soft tissues to grow back against the teeth and decreases the locations where disease-causing plaque and tartar can regrow.

Following your treatment, you will experience numbness in your mouth until the local anesthesia wears off. You'll also likely notice tenderness in your gum tissues and tooth sensitivity for a day or two. Our MINT dentistry experts will explain aftercare guidance on how to care for your mouth as your gums heal. We recommend that you adhere to a good dental care regimen at home daily, including flossing and brushing at least twice a day, to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Our Washington, DC doctors might suggest a periodontal maintenance program to help control periodontitis and keep active periodontal problems from recurring. Typically occurring every 3 – 4 months, periodontal maintenance visits replace twice-yearly cleanings and allow our team to track the condition of your jawbone and gums.

Treating gum disease with scaling and root planing treatment is usually covered at least partially by most dental insurance plans. If you are using dental insurance, our team will reach out to your carrier to learn about the specific coverage of your policy and then calculate your out-of-pocket costs. For patients who don't have insurance, MINT dentistry in Washington, DC is dedicated to making necessary oral health treatments affordable by taking many different methods of payment, including medical financing, which can be discussed during your consultation. Ask a team member about the MINT Discount Plan, which can help you afford everything you need to get a healthy, beautiful smile.

Periodontal or gum disease affects your health and stops you from getting your best smile. If periodontal disease is detected before it's too advanced, the condition can typically be treated with SRP (scaling and root planing). Contact MINT dentistry in Washington, DC to get more information or to schedule an appointment. The board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry perform treatments like scaling and root planing to help you get a smile that's radiant and healthy.