IMPLANT & PERIODONTAL SERVICES
- Periodontal Treatment Philosophy
- Scaling and Root Planing
- Dental Implants
- Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
- Gum Grafting
- Crown Lengthening
- Osseous Surgery
- Bone Regeneration
- Bone Grafting
- Ridge Preservation
- Bite Therapy
- Perioscope - Periodontal Endoscopy
Scaling & Root Planing
The initial stage of treatment for periodontal disease is often a thorough cleaning that may include scaling to remove plaque and tartar deposits beneath the gum line.
The tooth roots may also be planed to smooth the root surface allowing the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth.
Scaling and Root Planing Overview
For a brief narrated overview of scaling and root planing, please click the image below. It will launch our flash educational MiniModule in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about scaling and root planing.
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Antibiotics may be recommended to help control the growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause periodontitis. In some cases, Dr. Stewart may place time-released antibiotics in the periodontal pockets after scaling and planing. This may be done to control infection and to encourage optimal healing.
When deep pockets between teeth and gums are present, it is difficult for Dr. Stewart to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar. Patients cannot keep these pockets clean and free of plaque. Consequently, surgery may be needed to reduce periodontal pocket depth and rebuild the bone that is destroyed during periodontal disease. In isolated deep pockets, the use of the Perioscope may allow direct visualization of the root surface and enhance the healing following scaling and root planing.
The Perioscope - Periodontal Endoscopy
This is a new technology developed for the treatment of periodontal disease. The perioscope is an endoscope that has been specifically designed to explore and visualize the pocket (space) under the gum of teeth involved with periodontitis. An image on a computer monitor shows the diseased tooth's root surface. The perioscope enables the clinician to see the contents of the periodontal pocket and to analyze the root surface of the tooth for disease, causing bacterial accumulations (plaque and calculus).
The perioscope guides the clinician during the process of cleaning the root surface free of plaque and calculus – the treatment for periodontitis. It also allows the clinician to identify other problems (cracks, perforations and other disease causing flaws of the tooth root's surface) that are located under the gum – previously requiring surgery to detect.
Dr. Stewart is one of only a very few periodontists in Texas that offer scaling and root planing enhanced by the use of the periodontal endoscope.