Scaling and Root Planing Indianapolis, IN

At MINT dentistry, we want all our Indianapolis, IN patients to achieve a healthy, brilliant smile. Ideally, we try to help you avoid dental problems by providing proactive oral health care like exams and cleanings; however, if you have signs of periodontal problems, your normal cleaning twice a year might need extra help. MINT dentistry uses advanced tools and techniques to help stop the progression of gum disease through SRP, or scaling and root planing treatment. Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical service performed by our team of MINT dental professionals to remove tartar and plaque that has accumulated under the gumline, within the spaces that separate your teeth and gums. This treatment works to help decrease periodontal infection, heal the gum tissues, and improve the health of your gums. If you have reason to believe you are suffering from gum disease, contact us to make an appointment at our modern practice in Indianapolis, IN. Whether your mouth is already healthy or you have signs of gum disease, we will help you get a sexy, attractive smile with proactive care and advanced treatments.

When oral bacteria that grows in plaque and tartar accumulates, it can cause gum tissue to pull away from the tooth roots and the jawbone to deteriorate. This is known as the periodontitis stage of gum disease. During your annual exam, one of our skilled MINT dental professionals will measure the pockets of your gums and take digital x-rays to examine the level of the bone tissue supporting your teeth. If the pockets are over three millimeters and there is evidence of bone deterioration on your images, we may recommend scaling and root planing treatment. Some of the early symptoms of gum disease are often chronic bad breath, tooth mobility, and tender, inflamed gums that have started to become red, bleed easily, or recede. If gum disease is discovered early on, SRP therapy can reduce these symptoms. However, if gum disease has progressed to advanced periodontitis (the later stages), you might require more extensive treatments to improve your oral health.

The dental professionals at our Indianapolis, IN practice will use a local anesthetic before performing a deep cleaning with scaling and root planing. We may also recommend one of our sedation dentistry techniques to help you with stress or anxiety. Before your procedure begins, you'll relax in a massaging chair. Once you've put on a set of Beats headphones and selected some music, you will be given a pair of our stylish MINT shades to help you feel at ease. When you've been prepped, one of our gentle dental practitioners will implement hand and ultrasonic instruments to carefully remove the buildup under your gumline. We will then carefully perform root planing, smoothing the tooth roots. Establishing a healthy, smooth surface can enable the gum tissues to re-adhere to the root surfaces and reduces the locations where disease-causing tartar and plaque can live.

Patients will likely experience temporary numbness after their SRP treatments because of the local anesthetic used. You may experience gum tenderness and temperature sensitivity for the next few days. Our MINT dentistry experts will provide you with post-op recommendations on how to care for your mouth during recovery. We recommend that you follow a regular dental hygiene routine at home on a daily basis, which includes flossing and brushing at least twice a day, to keep your smile clean and healthy. Our Indianapolis, IN dental experts may suggest a periodontal maintenance program to help maintain gum disease and prevent active infections from developing. Taking place 3 – 4 times a year, periodontal maintenance visits take the place of biannual dental cleanings and enable our team to closely track the condition of your jawbone and gums.

Most dental insurance policies typically cover treating gum disease with scaling and root planing treatments. If you are using insurance, our financial coordinator will speak to your insurance company to understand your coverage and personal costs. If you do not have insurance, MINT dentistry in Indianapolis, IN is committed to helping you afford your dental procedures by accepting many payment methods, like low-interest financing, which can be discussed during your consultation. Ask a team member about the MINT Discount Plan and how it can help you fit the treatments you need, like scaling and root planing, into your budget.

Don't let gum disease keep you from having a healthy smile. If gum disease is identified in the periodontitis stage, it can typically be addressed with scaling and root planing treatment. Get in touch with MINT dentistry in Indianapolis, IN to learn more about gum disease treatments and to schedule your consultation. Our team of dental health professionals will work to restore your gums and help you show off a healthy, luminous smile.