Some cases of acute periodontal (gum) disease that do not respond to more
conventional treatment and self-care such as flossing may require a special
kind of cleaning called scaling and root planing.
The procedure begins with administration of a local anesthetic to reduce any
discomfort. Then, a small instrument called a "scaler," or an ultrasonic
cleaner, is used to clean beneath your gum line to remove plaque and tartar.
The root surfaces on the tooth are then planed and smoothed. This lets the
gum tissue heal and reattach itself to the tooth |