It may be necessary for a patient to have scaling and root planing as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. This could be advised as a preventative treatment to ward off gum disease, or used to help treat a case of periodontal disease. Various dental and gum problems can worsen, leading to tooth and bone loss without this procedure.

Scaling & Root Planing Treatment Pasadena

What is the difference between scaling and root planing?

Root planing is the process in which any area of the tooth root that is infected by bacteria is cleaned. The treatment involves removing plaque and tartar and smoothing the root of the tooth where it sits beneath the gum line. Scaling is clearing away the tartar and plaque on surface of the teeth that is above the gum line. Both procedures are vital parts of maintaining good oral and dental health.

Why Scaling & Root Planing?

Several conditions will require this scaling, root planing, or both:

For whole body health: It has been established through research that gum disease is linked to other health problems, including the risk of heart disease and stroke. This procedure keeps the area cleaner, and helps to keep bacteria from growing and travelling into the bloodstream.
For healthier teeth: When the gums have receded, the risk of periodontal disease is increased. The pockets (areas around the tooth) get deeper, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to lodge and grow. The body responds with inflammation, and the gums become red and can appear puffy or swollen. This inflammation begins to destroy the gum tissue.
Aesthetics: This procedure can be helpful in removing stains on the teeth and creating a more pleasing smile.
Bad breath: Ongoing bad breath is caused by bacteria, much of which is living below the gum line. Scaling and root planing clears away the bacteria and plaque so you can have fresher, cleaner breath.

Scaling and Root Planing Procedure

Prior to your treatment, a full evaluation of the health of your teeth and gums will be performed. This exam will include digital X-rays, and a visual exam to check for pockets forming in your gums. After the exam, our dentist will advise you of the treatment you need to resolve your current dental issues, including scaling and root planing procedures.

For scaling, special instruments are used to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth. At Pasadena Smile Center, we use the most advanced equipment for this procedure. The tool removes the plaque from your teeth, as well as the surfaces of the tooth roots.

For root planing, the root of the tooth is smoothed with special dental instruments. When the roots are smoothed and cleaned of tartar, it is harder for bacteria to lodge and colonize, leading to gum disease.

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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

May 2020

Dear Valued Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

All patients must wear a mask when entering the office.

Anyone accompanying you will be asked to wait in their vehicle.

Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.

Upon arrival at your appointment your temperature will be taken for the safety of all staff and patients.

Prior to receiving treatment you will be asked to rinse with an antimicrobial for a minimum of 30 seconds

We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.

You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.

UV Air purifiers have been placed throughout the office.

Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time, so we ask that you do your best to be on time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (626)798-7834 or visit our website at pasadenasmilecenter@yahoo.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely, Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. & Team