Scale & Root planing

Your confident smile is our goal.  To get it you’ll need healthy teeth and healthy gums, and you’ll need a dentist with cosmetic dentistry expertise – to get the shape, position, and color of your teeth just right for you.  Whether you need porcelain veneers or a full-mouth restoration, Dr. Forbes and the team at Capital Dental Design in Richmond can help you every step of the way.

Scaling and Root Planing in Richmond, VA

According to the CDC, 50% of Americans have some variation of gum disease, which develops when bacteria attaches to your teeth and multiplies to form plaque. Inflammation and irritation of surrounding tissues caused by plaque that stays on the teeth for too long eventually leads to gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. At this initial stage, which is the mildest, periodontal disease often presents itself as gum inflammation.

Progression to the next stage of gum disease (periodontitis) is likely if the issue is not diagnosed in the early stages. Typical symptoms of periodontitis include increasingly inflamed gums that bleed more easily, the development of deeper pockets between the teeth and gum tissues, and recessed gums. The deeper the pocket, the more bacteria that accumulates, which then degrades both soft and hard tissues. Infection can then more easily take place in the roots of the surrounding teeth, causing teeth to become loose, cause pain, or even fall out. When the gums have receded to this point, a gum graft may be necessary to restore the health of your gums and teeth.

During your dental examination, we will measure your pockets to determine the health of your gums. If your gums are more than 5mm deep, we will encourage you to schedule an appointment for a scaling and root planing procedure in order to halt gingivitis and periodontitis and restore the health of your gums and teeth. To learn more about the scaling and root planing procedure, please refer to the following, or schedule an appointment today. We proudly serve patients throughout Richmond and the surrounding area, including neighborhoods like Southampton, Stratford Hills, Westover Hills, Bon Air, Libbie and Grove, Church Hill, The Fan, Westham, Museum District, and Mooreland Farms.

At Capital Dental Design, we are committed to providing you with effective, considerate care and helping you get the bright, beautiful smile you have always wanted!

Your smile is a reflection of your personality. Call capital dental design Today.

804.320.8894

More about the Scale and Root Planing Process

The scale and root planing process will begin with an initial consultation, during which Dr. Forbes will evaluate and scan your mouth to determine if scale and root planing is the right treatment option for you. If so, we will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area being worked on. Dental sedation is also available to ensure you experience minimal discomfort and are able to remain relaxed while the procedure is performed. Next, we will perform a normal plaque cleaning, and then remove tartar that has accumulated above and below your gumline using a scaler. Next, we will smooth the root of your tooth to inhibit the growth of bacteria and provide a smooth surface for your gums to reattach to. Following this, a topical medicine will be applied to your gums and worked into the pockets. This medicine will help reduce pain and speed the healing process up. Once this is done, the scale and root planing process will be complete, although we will want to schedule a follow-up to monitor the health of your gums and ensure that you are healing properly.

Advantages of Deep Teeth Cleaning

There are several unique and important advantages to scale and root planing, which include the following:

  • Reduces risk of tooth loss
  • Prevents tooth decay
  • Protects the tooth’s roots
  • Alleviates gum inflammation and tenderness
  • Can halt and prevent gum disease
  • Can eliminate bad breath
  • Reduces risk of other health issues, such as diabetes, heart attack or stroke

Aftercare Instructions for scaling & root planing

You may experience some soreness following your procedure, but this should go away after a few days. If necessary, you can take over-the-counter pain-relieving medication as prescribed. It is also a good idea to avoid alcohol and spicy foods until you have completed the healing process. Aside from that, you will not have to follow any special aftercare instructions, although it is likely that the reason this procedure was necessary in the first place is that you have not been taking proper care of your oral health. Make a habit of brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily and follow a balanced diet that is not overloaded with foods that are sugary or acidic. Additional steps you can take include drinking more water, especially after every meal and using a mouthwash and/or fluoride toothpaste.

We Create Confident Smiles

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Cost of Scaling and Root Planing

Several factors will determine the total cost of scaling and root planing, such as the severity of your case, how many appointments are necessary, if dental sedation is needed, and whether the procedure is covered (and if so, how much) by your dental insurance plan. Prior to scheduling any procedure, we will discuss the anticipated costs, verify your benefits (if applicable) to determine out-of-pocket costs, and answer any questions you may have about billing.

If you are not covered under a dental insurance plan, or if you are simply interested in saving money, consider joining the Capital Dental Design Membership Plan. Although we make every effort to keep our services affordable for all patients, joining our membership plan allows us to save you even more money by covering the cost of preventive care such as cleanings, exams, and routine x-rays. We also offer discounts of 10-15% on other dental services offered at our clinic. To learn more about our membership plan, payment options, or anticipated costs, contact our office today!

Call Today to Schedule a Consultation

At Capital Dental Design in Richmond, one of the main things our patients love about us is that we are a patient-centered practice. We treat our patients like family, which means we take the time to understand who you are, your medical and oral health history, and your oral health goals, because doing so allows us to do everything we can to help you and your family reach those goals.

If you have not joined us as a patient yet and/or if you would like to schedule an appointment to determine whether scaling and root planing is right for you, contact us today online or call us directly at (804) 320-8894.

We are here to brighten your smile and provide you with the personalized care you deserve!