Scaling and Root Planing | Smiles @ Southcenter

Your oral health is important to your overall well-being. With a good at-home oral care routine and regular visits to your dental office in Renton, you’ll be on your way to having a beautiful, healthy smile. When you visit your dental office, you may find that you need a more in-depth cleaning process known as scaling and root planing. Watch this video to learn why scaling and root planing are necessary, and what you can expect from the process.

If you have gum disease, scaling and root planing may be part of the treatment process. Plaque and tartar can build up below the gum line, causing gum disease to worsen. Your dentist may give you a local anesthetic so that you remain comfortable throughout the treatment. By using a manual or ultrasonic instrument, your dentist cleans away problematic tartar from below the gum line. Once this part of the treatment is complete, the roots will be planed so that the gums grow back properly and adhere to the teeth in a normal way.