Goals: Root Planing removes hardened bacteria and irritating mineral deposits from the root surface below the gum line. These hardened bacteria cause the gum to fester with infection and destroy the supporting jawbone. After root planing, inflamed gum will shrink as it heals. The benefit of this shrinkage is a shallower pocket depth, essential to maintaining a healthy mouth.

 

Side Effects: Gum shrinkage during healing can result in recession of the gums. Recession of the gums can expose unsightly crown margins and sensitive roots. Injection sites may feel bruised and sore. Patients may have adverse reactions to anesthetics or medications prescribed.

 

Effect of Delaying Treatment: Bone loss will continue and the gum will never heal at the same level it once was. In other words, delayed treatment of periodontal disease will result in increased gum recession and tooth sensitivity. Further delay will result in irreversible bone loss, abscess, and tooth loss. Prevention and early intervention are essential to obtaining best outcomes.

 

Expected Outcome: Destructive bacteria are anaerobic. They like to live in deep, dark pockets, away from oxygen and your toothbrush. An ideal outcome is probing depths of 1-3mm so destructive bacteria cannot live in your mouth. Studies show that root planing results in a 1-2mm reduction in pocket depth. So a 5mm pocket will heal to 3 or 4mm, a depth you can likely maintain with good oral hygiene and regular visits to the hygienist. Pockets that are deeper than 5mm will also improve 1-2mm with root planing but further treatment may be required.

 

Perioscopy: A new procedure using a miniature dental endoscope with advanced video, lighting and magnification technology that enables Dr. Roberts to diagnose and treat areas below the gumline non-surgically. With Perioscopy we are able to accurately diagnose and effectively treat periodontal and other dental conditions, which might otherwise go undetected and ultimately undermine your oral health and perhaps even affect your overall well-being. Perioscopy is a great new tool in the preservation of natural teeth and the fight against periodontal disease.