Scaling and Root Planing

At Southern Cross Dental, we see patients experiencing every stage of gum disease.  In its most advanced stages gum disease can lead to gum recession and even tooth loss, but we can help you make sure it won’t get to that point.  When sticky bacteria called plaque builds up on a tooth, the gum starts to pull away from the tooth and form a pocket around the buildup.  A scaling and root planing procedure is performed to treat this buildup and prevent the later stages of gum disease. 

Scaling and root planing are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure your dentist can perform to repair your gums.  Scaling is the process of removing sticky plaque from the surface of your teeth all the way down to your gums, and root planing involves minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the root.  Once the plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that had pulled away have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to.  

To learn more about gum disease prevention and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.