The standard and very effective treatment to treat and control periodontal disease is the Scaling and Root Planing.
At the Asiri Dental Center we offer you an excellent scaling and root planing service in Quito, but first we want you to know all the details of this treatment that will allow you to go to your periodontist and control the progress of this silent and harmful disease.
You will learn from the most basic, such as when it is necessary and its benefits, to recommendations before and after doing it.
Table of Content
The RAR is a treatment of chronic periodontitis, it consists of the union of two mechanical techniques that seek to resolve the inflammation by completely eliminating the local factors of the dental surface that produce it, such as plaque, calculus and altered cement .
The immediate objective of this technique is to achieve a smooth, clean dental surface free of harmful agents.
Once this smooth texture is restored and there are no pathogens, a process of recovery from periodontal inflammation begins.
Deep cleaning that removes calculus, plaque, stains and any unwanted organic element found anywhere on the outside of the tooth.
Since tooth enamel is smooth, simple scaling already gives us a smooth surface, but the surface of the roots is not necessarily smooth and damaging agents can hide in these irregularities, which is why root planing is needed.
When the scaling is performed below the gingiva, we call it subgingival scaling and when it is above the gingiva, it is called supragingival scaling.
Due to the irregular characteristics of the surface of the roots (root cementum), achieving a smooth and clean surface requires an additional step, where these irregularities and the plaque and calculus deposits between them are eliminated.
Scaling done without root planing is not enough to eliminate the factors that cause inflammation. This is why both procedures should not be considered or practiced independently
We have already seen that the immediate objective of an ARR is to achieve a smooth, clean dental surface free of harmful agents, however its real objective goes a little further and is to eliminate or control disease and maintain periodontal health by promoting the recovery of the tissues around the tooth.
Scaling and Root Planing:
Scaling and root planing are effective in combating periodontitis and when combined with good oral hygiene and regular maintenance, these effects can last for several years
The RAR can be performed by the General Dentist, however, in more complex cases, it is highly recommended that it be performed by a specialist in Periodontics or as it is known, a Periodontist.
In any case, you need a prior evaluation to determine the level of periodontal disease and with this level already defined, an appropriate treatment plan is made for each person.
This treatment is the main treatment used to combat periodontal disease, therefore, in general terms, it is mainly indicated in the following cases:
When the periodontal pockets are less than 3 millimeters, it is not necessary to do scaling or root planing, only with dental cleanings and appropriate dental hygiene techniques should be sufficient.
According to Matos Cruz R. y Bascones-Martínez A. the following cases are identified as cases in which carrying out a RAR is counterproductive
People with poor plaque control and uncooperative, Patients suffering from acute leukemia, agranulocytosis and lymphogranulomatosis, Recent myocardial infarction.
In any case, the previous evaluation is required to determine the convenience or not of the execution of the treatment as well as the joint work with the treating physician.
This point can only be defined by your periodontist, however below I will give you some parameters that will serve as a reference
Depending on the complexity of the case, your periodontist will outline the phases in which the RAR should be performed, mainly they are established
The effectiveness of any treatment against periodontitis must be accompanied by excellent education and execution of dental hygiene techniques.
Without excellent dental hygiene, it is very difficult to control periodontal disease.
The quadrants or sextants that are going to be intervened are defined here. A quadrant is the result of dividing the mouth into four parts, while a sextant is if it is divided into six parts.
The method to be used in each sector is also defined: open-field or closed-field scaling and root planing.
Depending on the complexity of each case, mainly determined by the magnitude of the existing periodontal pockets, RAR can be performed in different ways
This method is used in the most complex cases and is a surgery that consists of performing the RAR but displacing the gum in order to better see and reach the surface of the roots.
Once the roots are exposed, it is much easier and more effective to perform the RAR since the periodontist has visibility and better access to pass the instruments.
This method does not require displacement of the gum and access to the roots is made by inserting special instruments between the gum and the tooth.
If you wonder if a scaling and root planing hurts, the answer is that it is a procedure that is performed under local anesthesia so you will not feel pain during its execution.
After the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some discomfort normal for this type of treatment
Below is a list that can help you get an idea.
Your periodontist will always work in the best possible way, however on some occasions, as in all medical and dental procedures, unwanted situations may arise.
In a general and informative way, here is a list of some of the complications that can be generated when executing a RAR and that if they happen to you, you should notify your doctor immediately:
Once a RAR has been executed and with an average frequency of 3 months, you must attend a periodontal control.
This control is called periodontal maintenance and its objectives are tosupervise your periodontal health and take the necessary corrective measures.
According to the assessments of your periodontist, it is possible that in these appointments some treatments or diagnostic studies are carried out that allow evaluating your progress in oral health.
Examples of things that could be done at a maintenance appointment:
Scaling and root planing is an excellent treatment, but it needs your collaboration so that its success is possible.
It is very important that:
By following these tips and the indications of your periodontist, you have won a large part of the battle.
Ramón makes sure that everything works so that your dental experience is special. From Biosafety, to being your bilingual treatments counselor
Publicado el: 24 Sep, 2022
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