Scaling and Root Planing in Calabasas
You notice a little pink in the sink after brushing, or your gums look puffier than they used to. Maybe a hygienist mentioned "pockets" at your last visit, or your breath doesn't stay fresh no matter how often you brush. For many of our patients in Calabasas, these small signs are the first hint that plaque and tartar have moved below the gumline, where a regular cleaning can't reach. At 805 Dentistry, we treat this with scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning designed to address gum disease at its source.
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical deep cleaning that targets the surfaces of your teeth beneath the gums. During a routine cleaning, we polish the visible parts of your teeth and clean just at the gumline. When gum disease develops, the gums can pull away from the teeth and form pockets. Bacteria, plaque, and hardened tartar collect in those pockets, and brushing and flossing can't reach them.
The treatment has two parts. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and root surfaces below the gumline. Root planing then smooths those root surfaces. Smoother roots give bacteria fewer places to cling and give your gum tissue a cleaner surface to rest against. Together, these steps form one of the core approaches to gum disease treatment in our office.
Patients who come to us from Calabasas often want to handle all of their dental care in one place, and our office is set up for that. We describe ourselves as a one-stop shop for the whole family's dental care. Our team, led by Dr. Dar Radfar, includes a general dentist and a board-certified periodontist, a specialist in the gums and the structures that support the teeth.
Having that expertise on staff matters for deep cleanings. If your gums need more than scaling and root planing, we can discuss periodontal care such as gum grafting, periodontal regeneration, or periodontal surgery without sending you to another office. If you have dental implants, we also provide implant maintenance to help protect the tissue around them.
Am I a candidate for scaling and root planing?
You may be a candidate if we find signs of gum disease that a standard cleaning can't resolve. During your dental exam, we look at the health of your gums and check the depth of the spaces between your gums and teeth. Deeper pockets suggest that bacteria and tartar have settled below the gumline.
Common reasons patients come in include:
- Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
- Gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth
- Teeth that feel loose or look longer than before
- Tartar buildup noted at a previous cleaning
Not everyone with these symptoms needs a deep cleaning, and some people with gum disease notice very few symptoms at all. That's why a thorough exam comes first. We'll explain what we see and recommend the approach that fits your situation, whether that's scaling and root planing, a regular cleaning, or a referral to our periodontist for further evaluation.
What happens during the procedure?
We begin by making sure you're comfortable, then clean below the gumline one area of your mouth at a time. Depending on how much of your mouth needs treatment, we may complete the work in one visit or divide it into several appointments that focus on different sections.
Using specialized instruments, we carefully remove plaque and tartar from each tooth and its root, then smooth the root surfaces. If you feel anxious about dental care, please tell us. Our office offers sedation options, including nitrous oxide and oral sedation, and a board-certified dental anesthesiologist is on staff for patients who need additional support.
How should I care for my gums afterward?
Good home care and regular follow-up visits are the keys to protecting the results of your deep cleaning. Your gums may feel tender for a short time afterward, and your teeth may be sensitive to temperature. We'll give you specific instructions based on your treatment, including how to brush and floss gently while your gums settle.
After treatment, many patients move to a schedule of periodontal maintenance, cleanings designed for people with a history of gum disease. At these visits, we check your gum health, clean below the gumline as needed, and watch for any changes. Calabasas patients can schedule these visits alongside routine care for other family members, since we see children and adults of all ages.
How can I pay for scaling and root planing?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and our team can help you understand how your coverage applies to scaling and root planing. Insurance plans vary, so we'll review your benefits with you before treatment whenever possible.
We also welcome self-pay patients, and financing is available for those who would like to spread out the cost of care. If you've noticed changes in your gums, reach out to our office. We'll be glad to schedule an exam for you or anyone in your family in Calabasas and talk through the next steps.