Known as SRP for short, scaling and root planing involves a deep cleaning of your teeth. It’s an integral part of treating periodontal disease (AKA gum disease) over the long haul. Periodontal maintenance falls under the preventative dentistry category. For patients in Piedmont CA, this is a vital ongoing process of protecting the gums and prevents the disease from worsening or returning.
At Piedmont Oaks Dental, we prioritize follow-up care after SRP as a way to ensure long-term oral health while lowering the risk of complications. Today we will go over the importance of long-term periodontal maintenance, and why your oral health depends on it.
Scaling and Root Planing: What Is It?
Scaling and root planing is non-surgical in nature, and its purpose is to address moderate to advanced gum disease. Periodontal disease is when the tissues that surround and support the teeth get infected and inflamed. Gingivitis, the first stage, brings a mild inflammation of the gums. At this stage, it’s preventable and treatable using a regimen of oral hygiene and professional cleanings.
Periodontitis, a more advanced stage, more deeply affects the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. If ignored, bone loss and tooth loss can unfortunately happen. The CDC says that about four in 10 U.S. adults has a mild, moderate, or severe level of periodontitis.
As part of the scaling and root planing process, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline. This is the scaling portion of the process. The second part of the process is root planing, which smooths the root surfaces of your teeth. With a goal of promoting healing, this deep clean of your teeth will reduce inflammation and create a healthier environment in your mouth where harmful bacteria are not encouraged to return.
While very effective, SRP isn’t a cure-all for periodontal disease. Particularly at later stages, gum disease is chronic and recurrent, and without regular maintenance, it can not only return but progress as well.
Periodontal Maintenance and Routine Cleanings: What’s the Difference?
Wondering what the difference is between regular dental cleanings and periodontal maintenance? While both involve professional cleaning, there are three important differences:
- Frequency: While you go for routine cleanings every six months, periodontal maintenance should be done every three to four months.
- Depth of Cleaning: Maintenance cleanings go beneath the gumline to remove bacteria from periodontal pockets.
- Monitoring: With periodontal maintenance, you get regular monitoring of pocket depth and bone levels to see if there have been any changes.
When you decide to just attend regular cleanings but neglect regular periodontal maintenance, this poses a risk of reinfection and continual damage to both gum and bone tissues.
What Is Involved in Periodontal Maintenance?
After going through scaling and root planing, the next step is ongoing periodontal maintenance, which is a personalized follow-up regimen. It should be scheduled every few months after the initial SRP procedure. Reserved strictly for patients who have periodontal disease, these visits are different than routine dental cleanings. Periodontal maintenance includes:
- X-rays as needed to check on bone levels
- Removal of calculus and plaque both above and below the gumline
- A deep clean of periodontal pockets
- Monitoring of gum health and attachment levels
- Monitoring for signs of disease progression
Periodontal maintenance for Piedmont CA patients is tailored to their specific condition, severity, and history of gum disease.
5 Benefits of Periodontal Maintenance
From supporting overall oral health to reducing risk of tooth loss, there are several advantages of periodontal maintenance.
- Protects Your SRP Investment
Scaling and root planing can be time consuming and expensive, so attending regular maintenance visits allows you to protect that investment so your gums can continue to heal.
- Supports Overall Oral Health
Gum disease has been connected with many systemic health issues, including respiratory conditions, heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
- Prevents Recurring Gum Disease
Undergoing regular periodontal maintenance prevents the return of gum disease. That’s because, after SRP, harmful bacteria can return and repopulate within just a few months. Neglecting professional cleaning and monitoring means the bacteria will once again destroy your gum tissue and bone. Then, your teeth could shift or fall out.
- Helps Detect Problems Early
As part of each maintenance visit, your dentist will evaluate your gum pockets, measure attachment levels, look for signs of inflammation, and rank overall gum health. Your dental team can quickly treat signs of gum disease when caught early on — before it spirals out of control.
- Reduces Tooth Loss Risk
The progression of periodontal disease — the leading cause of tooth loss in adults — can be stopped or slowed down with consistent maintenance. This way, you can prevent or reduce the risk of losing your natural teeth later on.
These are all great reasons why scheduling periodontal maintenance visits are so important.
