Scaling and Root in Louisville, KY

MINT dentistry is committed to helping the Louisville, KY community achieve optimal oral health and stunning smiles. Ideally, we try to help you avoid dental conditions by performing proactive oral health care like exams and cleanings; however, if you develop signs of periodontal problems, a standard cleaning may not be enough. MINT dentistry utilizes modern tools and techniques to arrest the advancement of gum disease through scaling and root planing (SRP) treatment. Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical option done by our MINT dentistry team to clean out plaque and tartar deposits that have accumulated below the gumline, within the spaces between your teeth and gums. This procedure is designed to help reduce periodontal infection, heal your gums, and boost your gum health. If you have reason to believe you are suffering from gum disease, contact us to make an appointment at our modern practice in Louisville, KY. Whether your mouth is already healthy or you have signs of gum disease, our team of MINT dentists can help you achieve sexy teeth with experienced, professional care.

Periodontitis occurs when harmful oral bacteria grow within the tartar and plaque deposits, which causes the jawbone to deteriorate and the gums to separate from the tooth. During your dental examination, our skilled MINT practitioners will check the pockets of your gums and capture digital x-rays to check the level of the bone tissue surrounding your teeth. If the depths are three millimeters or greater and we can detect bone deterioration on your radiographs, scaling and root planing treatment may be recommended. The first signs of gum disease are often chronic halitosis (bad breath), teeth that feel loose, and gums that are swollen, tender, bleed easily, appear red, or are receding. If gum disease is discovered early on, scaling and root planing procedures can minimize the condition, but if it has developed into advanced periodontitis (the later stages), you might need more extensive treatments to improve your oral health.

Scaling and root planing is a deep periodontal cleaning that can be done in our Louisville, KY office with local anesthesia to numb the areas being treated. Your dentist may also recommend one of our sedation dentistry techniques if you feel anxious or stressed about having this procedure. Before your procedure begins, you'll relax in an extremely comfortable, massage-style treatment chair. You'll choose music to listen to through our Beats headphones, then we'll give you our signature MINT sunglasses to help you feel at ease. Once you've been prepped, one of our gentle dental practitioners will implement ultrasonic and hand instruments to scale the plaque and tartar that have built up in the periodontal pockets. Our team will then meticulously perform root planing, smoothing the tooth roots. Creating a healthy, clean surface helps the gumline to reattach to the tooth surfaces and minimizes the locations where harmful plaque and tartar can cause damage.

The local anesthetic used will cause your mouth to remain temporarily numb after your deep cleaning, but you will regain feeling in the following hours. It is also normal to have gum tenderness and tooth sensitivity for a couple of days. Our MINT dentistry experts will talk with you about post-op recommendations on how to maintain good oral health during the healing phase. We recommend that you adhere to a proper oral hygiene routine at home each day, including proper brushing and flossing, to keep your smile healthy. Our Louisville, KY dentists may propose periodontal maintenance visits to help inhibit gum disease and prevent active infections from developing. Taking place every 3 – 4 months, these visits are performed in place of biannual dental cleanings and enable our practitioners to closely track the health of your gums and jawbone.

Gum disease is often treated with scaling and root planing, so many dental insurance companies cover at least a portion of the costs. If you have insurance, our business team will speak to your insurance company to understand the specific coverage of your policy and then calculate your out-of-pocket costs. For patients who don't have insurance, MINT dentistry in Louisville, KY is devoted to helping you afford your dental procedures by taking many different payment methods, including medical financing, which we can tell you about in your initial consultation. Ask a member of our team how we can help you afford the procedures needed to achieve your very best smile with our MINT Discount Plan.

Don't let gum disease keep you from having a smile that will light up a room. When periodontal disease is detected in the periodontitis stage, it can usually be controlled with nonsurgical scaling and root planing. Contact MINT dentistry in Louisville, KY to schedule an appointment or get more information. We look forward to surpassing your expectations and helping you show off a smile that's radiant and healthy.