Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure - Root Planing

Your regular tooth brushing and flossing removes the plaque that is above the gum line of your tooth. Scaling and root planing is a hygiene therapy provided by licensed dental hygienists for patients who have tartar, calculus and bacteria buried below the gum line around teeth. This is a non-surgical therapy for the treatment of gum disease. The average pocket depth is less than 3mm. The technique is most often used when the gum pockets on your tooth have a measurement that is greater than 3mm. When tartar and calculus attach to your tooth below the gum line, they pull the gum tissue away from the tooth creating a deep pocket. The tartar and calculus must be removed so that the gum can heal and pocket depth can be reduced. If not treated, the tartar and bacteria cause gum disease and deteriorate your bone, tissue and result in the loss of teeth.