Scaling and Root Planing New Orleans, LA

Helping all individuals enjoy a healthy, lasting smile is our goal here at MINT dentistry in New Orleans, LA. We strive to help patients stay one step ahead of dental problems by performing annual exams and biannual cleanings. If periodontal disease develops, however, you may need more than just a regular dental cleaning. MINT dentistry uses advanced tools and techniques to help arrest the advancement of periodontal disease with scaling and root planing (SRP) gum disease treatment. SRP is a nonsurgical procedure provided by our skilled MINT dentistry team to clean out tartar and plaque deposits that have collected below the gumline within gum (periodontal) pockets. This treatment is designed to help reduce periodontal infection, heal your gums, and improve the health of your smile. If you have signs of gum disease, contact us to make an appointment at our state-of-the-art office in New Orleans, LA. No matter the condition of your oral health, we can help you achieve a sexy, attractive smile with proactive care and advanced treatments.

When the periodontitis stage of gum disease develops, bacteria in the plaque and tartar buildup cause the gums to pull away from the teeth. The bone in the jaw also begins to deteriorate. During your exam, we'll take dental x-rays to check the health of the bone surrounding your teeth and measure the spaces between your teeth and gums called periodontal pockets. When the pockets are greater than three millimeters and we can see bone loss on your x-rays, scaling and root planing treatment may be recommended. Common symptoms of periodontitis include chronic halitosis (bad breath), tooth mobility, and tender, inflamed gums that bleed easily, appear red, or are receding. If gum disease is discovered early on, SRP services often can control these symptoms. If gum disease has developed into advanced periodontitis (the later stages), you might require more extensive treatments to address your oral health needs.

To start your SRP treatment, you can enjoy relaxing in a massaging treatment chair. Once you've put on a set of Beats headphones and selected some music, we'll give you some sleek MINT sunglasses to help you feel at ease. Before beginning your scaling and root planing treatment at our New Orleans, LA practice, we'll numb your gums with local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. We may also recommend one of our sedation dentistry techniques to help ease any stress or anxiety. When you're ready, a member of our dental team will utilize advanced instruments to carefully remove plaque and tartar accumulation within your periodontal pockets. Our team will then meticulously plane (smooth) the root surfaces. Developing a healthy, clean area can allow the gums to grow back against the teeth and minimize the spaces where disease-causing plaque and tartar can reaccumulate.

Your mouth may feel numb for a few hours following your scaling and root planing procedure. You'll also likely experience gum tenderness and temperature sensitivity for the next few days. Our MINT dentistry practitioners will discuss post-op directions on how to care for your mouth as your gums heal. It's important to follow a regular dental care routine at home each day, which includes proper brushing and flossing to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Our New Orleans, LA dental experts might recommend a periodontal maintenance program to help inhibit the progression of gum disease and keep active periodontal problems from developing. Generally set up every 3 – 4 months, these visits replace routine prophylaxis services and enable our experts to closely track your periodontal condition.

Scaling and root planing for the treatment of periodontitis may be covered in part by some dental insurance plans. If you're using insurance, our administrative team will reach out to your carrier to learn about your individual coverage and then calculate any out-of-pocket costs. For patients without insurance, MINT dentistry in New Orleans, LA is committed to making necessary oral health treatments affordable by accepting many different methods of payment, including medical financing. Ask a team member how we can help you afford the procedures needed to achieve your very best smile with our MINT Discount Plan.

Gum disease is a serious oral health condition that can have a negative effect on your smile and your general health. If gum disease is detected before it's too far advanced, it often can be addressed with nonsurgical scaling and root planing. Please reach out to MINT dentistry in New Orleans, LA to schedule an appointment or to get more information on gum disease treatment. We look forward to surpassing your expectations and helping you get a smile that's radiant and healthy.