Scaling & Root Planing
If someone doesn’t brush and floss consistently, plaque can build up on the roots of their teeth below the gum line, which can eventually harden into tartar. This substance is filled with the bacteria that cause gum disease, and you can’t simply brush it away. Scaling and root planing is a type of dental cleaning we use to remove these deposits. After thoroughly cleaning the teeth, the roots are slightly reshaped to encourage faster healing and make it less likely that plaque will accumulate near the gums in the future.