Scaling and Root Planing Cincinnati, OH

The team of professionals at MINT dentistry in Cincinnati, OH wants every patient to have a beautiful, radiant smile that they can be proud to show off. We prefer to help you prevent dental problems by performing annual exams and bi-annual cleanings; however, if you have signs of gum problems, your regular cleaning, twice a year, might need extra help. MINT dentistry utilizes modern equipment and techniques to treat periodontal disease through SRP, or scaling and root planing treatment. Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical option provided by our team of MINT dental professionals to clean out plaque and tartar that has collected below the gumline, within gum pockets. This therapy is designed to help decrease periodontal infection, heal your gum tissues, and increase the health of your gums. If you notice symptoms of gum disease, contact us to make an appointment at our modern office in Cincinnati, OH. Whether your mouth is already healthy or you have signs of gum disease, we can help you get a sexy, attractive smile with both preventive and advanced treatments.

When oral bacteria residing within the tartar and plaque deposits cause the tissue of the gums to pull away from the teeth, and the jawbone begins to break down, this is known as the periodontitis stage of gum disease. During your annual examination, your MINT dentist will measure the pockets of your gums and capture x-rays to check the amount of bone supporting your teeth. When the depths are over three millimeters, and there is evidence of bone loss on your x-rays, scaling and root planing treatment may be the recommended treatment option. The first signs of a periodontal infection are often chronic halitosis (bad breath), teeth that feel loose, and tender, inflamed gums that are receding, red, or bleeding. When gum disease is diagnosed in the earliest stage, scaling and root planing can decrease the condition; however, if gum disease has progressed to later stages (advanced periodontitis), you may require more extensive treatments to meet your periodontal needs.

When you have a scaling and root planing treatment performed at our Cincinnati, OH practice, you will be given local anesthesia to maintain your comfort during this deep periodontal cleaning. Your dentist will also give you other dental sedation options to help you with stress or anxiety. At the start of your appointment, you can relax in a comfortable treatment chair. Once you've put on a set of Beats headphones and selected some music, you will be given MINT sunglasses to help you feel at ease. Once you are ready, one of our gentle dental practitioners will implement hand and ultrasonic instruments to clear away the plaque and tartar that have built up in the periodontal pockets. Your hygienist will then skillfully smooth or plane the tooth roots. Creating a clean, healthy area helps the gums to reattach to the root surfaces and minimizes the spaces where harmful plaque and tartar can reaccumulate.

You will have numbness from the local anesthetic after your SRP therapy. You may notice tenderness in your gum tissues and sensitivity in your teeth for a couple of days. Our MINT dentistry team will give you instructions on how to care for your teeth and gums during the healing phase. You should adhere to a proper oral care routine at home daily, including flossing and brushing at least twice daily to keep your mouth healthy and bright. Our Cincinnati, OH doctors could propose a periodontal maintenance plan to help inhibit gum disease and help stop active periodontal issues from occurring. Scheduled quarterly, these visits are performed in place of biannual dental cleanings and enable our dentists to watch the health of your gums and jawbone.

Most dental insurances will cover, in part, scaling and root planing as a treatment option for gum disease. If you are using insurance, our financial coordinator will contact your insurance company to learn about your coverage and personal costs. If you do not have insurance, MINT dentistry in Cincinnati, OH is dedicated to making necessary oral health treatments affordable by accepting several methods of payment, like low-interest financing, which can be discussed during your consultation. Ask us how you can get healthy teeth with the MINT Discount Plan, our in-office program to make it easier to afford the treatments you need.

Periodontal (gum) disease can not only prevent you from having the smile of your dreams, but it can also affect your overall oral health. If periodontal disease is detected before it's too far advanced, the condition can often be treated with scaling and root planing treatment. Please reach out to MINT dentistry in Cincinnati, OH to get more information or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to surpassing your expectations and helping you show off a healthy, luminous smile.