Scaling and Root Planing in Houston, TX

For men and women in Houston, TX, MINT dentistry wants to help patients of all ages and walks of life have a healthy smile. We prefer to avoid dental conditions with proactive oral health care like exams and cleanings, but if you have symptoms of gum disease, your normal cleaning twice a year might need extra help. MINT dentistry utilizes advanced equipment and techniques to correct the earliest stage of gum disease (gingivitis) with scaling and root planing (SRP). This nonsurgical procedure is performed by our team of MINT dental professionals to reverse the earliest stage of gum disease by removing buildup that has accumulated under the gumline. This specialized procedure includes two stages — first the gum pockets are deep cleaned, then the enamel is planed (smoothed) to reduce more plaque and tartar from becoming trapped. If you have signs of gum disease, make an appointment for an exam and consultation at our state-of-the-art office in Houston, TX. If you want to improve or maintain your oral health, our team of MINT dentists can help you achieve a sexy, attractive smile with both preventive and advanced treatments.

During your dental exam, we will measure the depth of your gum pockets. If the pockets (sulcus) are three millimeters or greater, a scaling and root planing treatment is the most common option. This treatment helps to reduce the size of your gum pockets by removing built-up tartar and plaque beneath the gumline, which causes the first stage of gum disease (gingivitis). A few of the symptoms of gum disease are chronic bad breath, loose teeth, as well as gums that are swollen, tender, have become red, bleed easily, and are starting to recede. If gingivitis is identified and addressed early, one or more SRP treatment can reverse symptoms; however, if gum disease has progressed to later stages (periodontitis or advanced periodontitis), you may require another treatment to repair your oral health.

An SRP treatment (deep periodontal cleaning) can be performed in our office with a local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the treatment. Your team of MINT dental professionals will also give you other dental sedation options for dental fears or anxiety. To start your SRP treatment, you'll relax in a comfortable chair. Once you've put on a set of Beats headphones and selected some music, you will be given MINT sunglasses to help you feel at ease. Next, your team will give you the anesthesia discussed during your consultation to make sure you are comfortable throughout the treatment. When you are ready, one of our board-certified dentists will use a scaling instrument to clean out the plaque and tartar that have built up in your gum pockets. We will then perform the planing, smoothing the exterior of your teeth to eliminate the most common places where plaque and tartar build up.

For the rest of the day after your appointment, you will probably have greater sensitivity in your gums and teeth, as well as temporary numbness from the local anesthetic. The MINT doctors may prescribe antibiotics to eliminate any remaining bacteria in your gums. You should follow a good oral care routine at home, including flossing and brushing at least twice a day, to keep your smile healthy. You should continue to schedule visits every six months, so we can assess your gums and general dental health. Depending on the way your gums respond to your first treatment, your dentist may suggest a second procedure to fully reverse the symptoms of gum disease.

Treating the earliest stage of gum disease with a scaling and root planing treatment is generally covered in part by dental insurance. If you have insurance, someone on our front office staff will speak to your carrier to determine the specific coverage of your policy and then calculate your out-of-pocket costs. If you do not have insurance, our office is committed to helping you afford your dental procedures by accepting several payment methods, including low-interest medical financing, which can be discussed during your consultation. Ask a MINT team member how you can get healthy teeth with the MINT Discount Plan, our in-office program to make it easier to afford the treatments you need.

Periodontal or gum disease damages your dental health and stops you from having a healthy, beautiful smile. When gum disease is diagnosed in the earliest stage, called gingivitis, can usually be treated with one or more scaling and root planing treatments at MINT dentistry in Houston, TX. Please contact us to schedule your dental exam and consultation. The board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry perform treatments like scaling and root planing to help you show off a smile that's radiant and healthy.