Scaling and Root Planing Joliet, IL

MINT dentistry in Joliet, IL wants to help patients of all ages and walks of life get a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. Our goal is to help you stay one step ahead of dental problems by recommending regular checkups and dental cleanings, but if you have symptoms of gum disease, a standard cleaning may not be enough. MINT dentistry uses advanced equipment and techniques to treat the progression of periodontitis with scaling and root planing (SRP) therapy. Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical service provided by one of our MINT dentistry practitioners to clear away plaque and tartar buildup that has collected below the gumline, within gum pockets. This treatment works to help control a periodontal infection, heal your gums, and improve your gum health. If you notice symptoms of gum disease, contact us to make an appointment at our state-of-the-art practice in Joliet, IL. Whether your mouth is already healthy or you have signs of gum disease, we can help you achieve a sexy, attractive smile with professional, personalized care.

The periodontitis stage of gum disease occurs when harmful oral bacteria, that thrive within the tartar and plaque buildup, lead the gums to pull away from the tooth surfaces and cause the jawbone to break down. At your annual examination, our skilled MINT practitioners will measure the depths of your gum pockets and take x-rays to review the bone levels surrounding your teeth. When the pockets are three millimeters or greater and there is evidence of the breakdown of bone tissue on your radiographs, we may recommend scaling and root planing treatment. A few of the symptoms of a periodontal infection are chronic halitosis (bad breath), tooth mobility, and gums that are swollen, tender, are receding, red, or bleeding. When gum disease is diagnosed in the earliest stage, scaling and root planing services can minimize these symptoms, but if gum disease has developed into later stages (advanced periodontitis), you may require more extensive treatments to meet your periodontal needs.

A deep periodontal cleaning with scaling and root planing (SRP) is performed in our Joliet, IL practice with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the treatment. We may also recommend one of our sedation dentistry techniques for dental fears or anxiety. To start your SRP treatment, you can enjoy relaxing in an extremely comfortable, massage-style treatment chair. Once you've put on a set of Beats headphones and selected some music, we'll give you our signature MINT shades to protect your eyes. When you've been prepped, one of our gentle dental practitioners will utilize hand and ultrasonic instruments to clear away the buildup under your gumline. Our team will then carefully smooth or plane the surfaces of the teeth. Creating a healthy, smooth area can allow the gums to re-adhere to the teeth and lessens the locations where harmful tartar and plaque can live.

After your scaling and root planing procedure, you will have temporary numbness from the local anesthetic. You may experience tenderness in your gum tissues and tooth sensitivity for the next few days. Our MINT dentistry team will talk with you about post-op tips on how to take care of your teeth and gums as your gums recover. We recommend that you follow a thorough dental hygiene regimen at home each day, including flossing and brushing at least twice a day, to keep your smile clean and healthy. Our Joliet, IL doctors could recommend a periodontal maintenance program to help discourage gum disease and help stop active periodontal problems from flaring up. Taking place 3 – 4 times a year, these visits are performed in place of twice-yearly cleanings and allow our experts to monitor the condition of your jawbone and gums.

Scaling and root planing is a common procedure for treating gum disease that is usually covered in part by most dental insurance benefits. If you have insurance, our financial coordinator will reach out to your insurance company to understand the specific coverage of your policy and then calculate your out-of-pocket costs. For patients who don't have dental insurance, MINT dentistry in Joliet, IL is committed to making necessary oral health treatments affordable by taking several methods of payment, like low-interest medical financing, which can be discussed during your consultation. Ask one of our dental professionals for more information on the MINT Discount Plan, which helps you afford treatments like scaling and root planing so you can have sexy teeth.

Periodontal or gum disease affects your health and stops you from having a truly gorgeous smile. When periodontal disease is caught early, the condition can typically be addressed with SRP therapy. Please reach out to MINT dentistry in Joliet, IL to schedule your dental exam and consultation. Our team of dental health professionals will work to restore your gums and help you show off a healthy, luminous smile.