Periodontal cleaning is a broad category of dental treatments for removing the disease-causing bacteria and toxins in the periodontium in a person’s mouth. Periodontium consists of supporting tissue, bone structure and ligaments around the teeth. Brushing and flossing might not be adequate in completely removing the bacteria and toxins in the periodontium. Dentist would evaluate the severity of periodontal problems and then determine treatment for the patient.
The most basic periodontal treatment is basic dental cleaning. Patient would have basically good oral hygiene with only minimal plaque within the shallow gum pockets.
However, if the patient shows early to moderate gum pockets, some bone loss, bleeding or more than one of these symptoms, the dentist would perform a procedure called Scaling And Root Planing. Dentist would have to remove all calculus from the deep gum pockets and cleanse off all toxins with medicated rinse. Dentist would typically treat one half of the periodontium and would complete both sides in two visits. Dentist would anesthetize the treatment region for patient’s comfort.
If the patient shows more severe periodontal problems, dentist would need to perform periodontal surgery. Dentist would perform surgery on the gum tissue so to expose the deepest crevice in the gum pockets in order to facilitate complete removal of toughest calculus and toxins.
Written by Daniel Tee, DDS, MS
Practicing Family Dentist Serving the city of Tempe, Chandler, Phoenix, Gilbert, and Mesa in Arizona.
