Scaling and Root Planing in Lake Worth, TX

For men and women in Lake Worth, TX, MINT dentistry wants to help patients of all ages and walks of life get a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Our goal is to avoid dental problems with proactive oral healthcare, like exams and cleanings; however, if you have signs of gum disease, a standard cleaning may not be enough. MINT dentistry utilizes advanced techniques to address the earliest stage of gum disease (gingivitis) through scaling and root planing (SRP). This nonsurgical treatment, performed by a board-certified MINT dentist, treats gum disease by cleaning out plaque and tartar that has built up below the gumline. This specialized treatment cleans out the gum pockets, then the enamel is smoothed to minimize future buildup. If you have reason to believe you are suffering from the beginning stages of gum disease, make an appointment for an exam and consultation at our modern office in Lake Worth, TX. Regardless of the condition of your mouth and gums, MINT dentistry can help you achieve a sexy, attractive smile with proactive care and advanced treatments.

During your annual exam, your dentist will check the pockets of your gums. If the pockets, also known as the sulcus, are three millimeters or greater, we will recommend a scaling and root planing treatment. This treatment helps to clean out your gum pockets and reduce their depth so plaque and bacteria cannot collect in this area, which is the main cause of the first stage of gum disease (gingivitis). A few of the symptoms of gum disease are chronic halitosis (bad breath), loose teeth, as well as tender, inflamed gums that are receding, red, or bleeding. If gingivitis is identified and addressed early, a scaling and root planing treatment or multiple SRP treatments can improve symptoms; however, if gum disease has developed into later stages (periodontitis or advanced periodontitis), you might require a different procedure.

An SRP or deep periodontal cleaning is done in our practice with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the treatment. Your dentist will also give you other dental sedation options to help you with stress or anxiety. At the start of your appointment, we'll ask you to sit back and relax in an extremely comfortable, massage-style chair. Once you've put on a set of Beats headphones and selected some music, we'll give you MINT sunglasses to help you feel at ease. Then, the predetermined anesthesia will be administered to make sure you are comfortable throughout the treatment. Once you are ready, your experienced dentist will start with a scaling tool to clean out all the buildup under your gumline. We will then perform the planing, smoothing the enamel to eliminate the most common places where plaque, tartar, and bacteria get trapped.

For the rest of the day after your appointment, you will probably have extra sensitivity, plus temporary numbness from the local anesthetic. Your dentist might prescribe antibiotics to eliminate any residual bacteria in your gums. You should follow a good oral care routine at home, which includes daily flossing and brushing, to make your smile clean and healthy. Keep scheduling visits every six months so we can check your gums and general dental health. Depending on the way your gums respond to your first SRP treatment, you may need another treatment to fully repair your gums.

Scaling and root planing is a common procedure for the treatment of gum disease that is typically covered at least partially by most dental insurance policies. If you are using insurance, the MINT dentistry support staff will speak to your insurance company to determine what your policy covers and your remaining costs. For patients who don't have dental insurance, MINT dentistry is committed to making necessary oral health treatments affordable by accepting several methods of payment, including low-interest medical financing, which we can tell you about in your initial consultation. Ask a MINT team member about the MINT Discount Plan, which can help you afford everything you need to get a healthy, beautiful smile.

Gum disease negatively impacts your overall health and keeps you from having a truly gorgeous smile. The first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, can usually be treated with SRP (scaling and root planing) at MINT dentistry in Lake Worth, TX. Please contact MINT dentistry to schedule an appointment or get more information. The board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry perform treatments, like scaling and root planing, to help you get sexy teeth.