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- 2019
- January (6)
- Why it's Worth the Effort to Save a Problem Baby Tooth
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
- 4 Things that can Cause Gum Recession and What to do About Them
- Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
- Answers to Common Questions About Root Canal Treatments
- A New Resolution - Floss!
- 2018
- December (7)
- Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
- The Benefits of Dental Implants
- New Year, New Smile
- Bitewing X-Rays Safely 'Reveal all' About Back Teeth to Prevent Tooth Decay
- Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
- Kids, Cats and Canines: Dental Development Through the Ages
- TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
- November (6)
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- How to Maximize Your Child's Dental Health Potential
- The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
- 4 Foods That May Help You Prevent Tooth Decay
- October (7)
- Teens May Need a Temporary Replacement for Missing Teeth
- New Dental Advances Promise Better Outcomes for Treating Decay
- Five Tips for Top-Notch Tooth Brushing
- Preventive Care for Your Child is a Partnership between You and Your Dentist
- Don't Stress Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit Unless it Persists
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- How to Determine If You Have a Dental Emergency
- August (7)
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- What to do if Your Child has a Toothache
- Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
- Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
- Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
- When are Dental Crowns Needed?
- Sleep Apnea Might be Robbing you of More than a Good Night's Sleep
- July (7)
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Replacing a Back Tooth May Help You Avoid Future Dental Problems
- Ready for Summer Camp? Be Sure to Pack a Toothbrush
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Think Water First for Summer Thirst
- Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
- June (6)
- Complex Mouth Conditions Call for Dental Specialties
- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
- Don't Fear the Root Canal - it Could Save Your Tooth
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
- March (5)
- Bone Loss: the Hidden Consequence of Your Missing Teeth
- 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
- Removing Teeth Could Improve the Outcome for a Crowded Bite
- A "No-Prep" Veneer Could Eliminate the Need to Remove Tooth Enamel
- 3 Things Your Dentist Recommends You do if You Have Shingles
- 2017
- December (6)
- Take Your Dentures out at Night to Extend Their Usefulness
- Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
- What to Do About Your Child's Toothache Before Seeing the Dentist
- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- What Can Dental Bonding Do for Me?
- New Year's Resolutions for Better Oral Health
- June (5)
- Protect Your Child's Long-Term Dental Health with Regular Office Visits
- You'll Experience Little to No Discomfort During and After Implant Surgery
- No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
- Do You Have A Gap In Your Teeth?
- Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
- May (5)
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Don't Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sleep - or Your Health
- Tips on Encouraging Healthy Snacking While Your Child's at School
- We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
- April (5)
- Be Alert to the Unintended Consequences of Cancer Treatment to Oral Health
- Watch for These Developing Bite Problems with Your Child's Teeth
- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
- A Healthy Diet is Your Best Source for Vitamins and Minerals
- Get a Dental Exam as Soon as Possible if you Suspect Gum Disease
- February (6)
- Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
- You may need a Periodontist to Fully Treat Your Gum Disease
- A Child's Damaged Tooth may require a Different Approach than an Adult's
- Try Conservative Measures to Treating TMD Before More Aggressive Options
- Do I Really Need Dental Implants?
- Could a Metal Allergy Keep You From Getting a Dental Implant?
- January (5)
- Stay Ahead of Gum Disease Re-Infection with Periodontal Maintenance
- A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
- Treating Teeth Grinding Now Could Help Prevent Excessive Tooth Wear Later
- Chronic Jaw Pain Could be Related to Other Inflammatory Conditions
- Non-Prescription Pain Medication can Manage Most Post-Procedure Discomfort
- 2016
- October (5)
- New Understanding of Bacteria Promises Better Approaches to Oral Care
- Keeping up Good Hygiene Still a Necessity with Dental Implants
- Are You Brushing Correctly?
- Even Though not in the "Smile Zone" You Should Replace that Back Tooth
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- June (6)
- Getting the Full Picture of Your Decay Risk Leads to Better Prevention Strategies
- The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
- Do Your Dentures and Mouth a Favor: Take Them Out at Night
- 4 Things You Should be Doing to Maintain a Healthy Mouth
- Can Dental Implants Help Me?
- A Crown Could be the Answer to Preserving Your Damaged Tooth
- May (5)
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- Prudent Use of X-Rays in Children Provides the most Benefit at the Lowest Risk
- Chewing Tobacco is Just as Addictive and Dangerous as Smoking
- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
- Dental Implants and Smoking - Cause for Concern?
- March (5)
- Good Oral Hygiene Just as Important for Implants as for Natural Teeth
- The Importance of Baby Teeth
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- February (5)
- FAQs: Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After Gum Disease Treatment
- Effective Oral Hygiene is Key to Disease Prevention While Wearing Braces
- What Do I Need To Do To Take Care of My Dental Veneers?
- Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit
- Thumb Sucking One of Many Factors to Consider When Treating a Poor Bite
- 2015
- December (6)
- Pay Attention to Gum Disease Warning Signs for an Early Diagnosis
- The truth about cavities
- Improve Your Brushing and Flossing Habit with These Tips
- Certain Factors May Raise Your Risk and the Intensity of Gum Disease
- Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
- Saliva Performs Many Functions for Both Oral and General Health
- October (6)
- Dental Implants Help Maintain Bone Health
- Survey Says: They'd Rather Have a Root Canal
- The Parent-Dentist Partnership: Establishing Better Oral Health for Your Child
- Lost a Tooth? You Have Options
- Diabetics with Gum Disease Benefit from Coordinating Treatment for Both
- A Bird's-Eye View of Tooth Replacement
- August (5)
- Ultrasonic Plaque Removal an Effective Alternative to Manual Scaling
- While Usually Benign, Lichen Planus Lesions Should Still be Examined
- The Perils of a Loose Permanent Tooth - and What to do About it
- Look at the Long-Term Costs When Considering Dental Implants
- Easing the Pain and Discomfort of Canker Sores
- July (6)
- Ridge Augmentation Gives You an Even Smile
- To Fight Tooth Decay Reduce "BAD" factors, Promote "SAFE" Ones
- Conscious Sedation Eases Treatment Anxiety for Young Dental Patients
- Know What to Expect During Your Child's 'Baby' Teeth Phase
- Orthodontics Could be in Your Smile Makeover Plan
- Plagued by Mysterious Mouth Ulcers?
- May (5)
- Emergency Dentistry - Have Your Emergency Handled By A Professional
- Do You Need Antibiotics Before Having a Dental Procedure?
- Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
- A Clear Diagnosis of Jaw Pain is Needed to Determine the Right Treatment
- Using Sinus Surgery to Stimulate Bone Growth for Implants
- April (6)
- Fixed or Removable: Deciding Which Implant-Supported Bridge is Best for You
- What Can A Deep Cleaning Do For Gum Disease?
- Irritating Cold Sore Outbreaks can be Controlled Through Medication
- Mouthguards Reduce Risk of Concussion as well as Dental Injuries
- Timing is Everything When it Comes to Treating Mouth Injuries
- Root Canal Therapy Stops Infection In Its Tracks
- February (5)
- Consider all the Cost Factors When Deciding on a Crown Restoration
- Severe Dental Injuries May Require Endodontic Treatment
- Choose a Mouthrinse Carefully if you want to Enhance your Dental Health
- Why Dental Implants Are Made To Restore Your Smile
- Three Things You May Not Know About Root Canal Treatments
- 2014
- September (6)
- Acute Tooth Pain may be Signaling Your Need for Root Canal Treatment
- 3 Dental Options For The Perfect Smile
- Our Arsenal of Weapons in the War Against Gum Disease
- Encountering Positive Experiences the Key to Overcoming Dental Anxiety
- Treating Chipped Teeth: A Common Sports Injury Among Kids
- Bone Grafting can put Implants Back on Your Options List
- August (5)
- Bad Breath Might be a Sign of a More Serious Oral Condition
- Overcome Oral Cancer With Screenings and Lifestyle Changes
- A Fixed Bridge Remains an Effective Option for Tooth Replacement
- Several Factors Determine Tooth Longevity After a Root Canal Treatment
- Frequently Asked Questions about Inlays and Onlays
- 2013
- December (6)
- A Crowning Achievement: Natural-Looking Teeth
- Brushing and Flossing - Two Key Elements to Avoiding Dental Disease
- Early Detection is Critical to Surviving Oral Cancer
- Five Things You Should Know About Oral Cancer
- Dental Implants Help Kissimmee Residents Restore Their Smiles
- Preventing Early Childhood Cavities
- October (6)
- "No-Prep" Veneers may be an Option for Some Patients
- Five Facts About Tooth-Colored Fillings
- End the Embarrassment of Stained Teeth with Whitening
- Kissimmee Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Mansour, Builds Confident Smiles and Healthier Mouths
- Protect Your Enamel From the Damaging Effects of Acid
- Five Things You Should Know About Sleep Apnea
- 2012
- August (7)
- What Is A Crown?
- Bad Breath? Try a Tongue Scraper
- Father's Day Tip: Step Up & Improve Your Dental Health!
- Actress Florence Henderson Shares Her Secrets for Keeping Your Natural Teeth as You Age
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Are the Restoration of Choice for Ballroom Dance Star Cheryl Burke
- Early Orthodontic Care Helped Child Star Nolan Gould Get Ready for Prime Time
- What Is Gum Recession and How Is It Treated?
- 2011
- 2010
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More Than a Scaling, But Not Periodontal Surgery, It's Root Planing

Root planing is a procedure that allows us to achieve your — and our — basic goal in dentistry: healthy, clean gums and teeth.
At a level in between scaling by your hygienist and periodontal (from peri, around and odont, tooth) surgery, root planing is a conservative treatment that attempts to eliminate the need for gum surgery.
The Problem:
Plaque is a film of bacteria (a biofilm) that adheres to your teeth at the gumline. This is what you try to remove with daily brushing and flossing. Plaque that is not removed can form a hard coating called calculus or tartar. These substances irritate your gums and cause inflammation, which in turn causes your gum tissues to lose their attachment to your teeth. The resulting gaps between the teeth and gums are called pockets, and they act just like pockets in your clothing.
Your teeth are fastened in your jaws by a combination of bone and soft tissue including the gums and the periodontal ligament, tissues that holds each tooth in place. When pockets form and bacteria move into them, the bacteria and the toxins they emit can become ingrained into the surface of the roots of your teeth (the bottom parts that are below the gumline) and cause further inflammation and infection. This can lead to loss of attachment of the gum tissues and bone that anchor your teeth. In the worst cases you can lose the teeth.
The Solutions:
1. The first level of defense is your own daily brushing and flossing. Ask us to check your technique to make sure you are effectively removing plaque.
2. Second, your dental hygienist can remove superficial collections of calculus by scaling, using hand tools or a sonic scaler.
3. Third, root planing actually planes the surface of the roots of your teeth, in the same way as a carpenter planes a piece of wood. It removes calculus, bacteria and toxins ingrained into the root surfaces so that the infected gum tissues can heal.
Root planing is usually done using local anesthesia to numb the teeth and surrounding soft tissues. The planing may be done first with an ultrasonic device that cleans by vibrating particles off the root surfaces and simultaneously flushes the pockets with water. The root planing is finished with delicate hand instruments called curettes. The area may then be flushed with antibacterial medication to fight infection.
The response to root planing is usually evaluated three to four weeks later. The gum tissues are checked for healing, and probing measurements of the pockets are retaken. Depending on the results, additional root planing may be needed.
4. Finally, in cases of the worst periodontal infections, you may need periodontal surgery. Each person's situation is unique and should be based on an examination and evaluation.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your questions about dental hygiene and root planing. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor article, “Root Planing.”