Scaling

What is dental scaling?:

Dental scaling is a routinely performed procedure that keeps your teeth clean and cleared of all plaque. Standard cleaning usually deals with just the surface of the tooth, but dental scaling provides a much deeper cleaning than that.

It is recommended for people with gum disease. One of the main features of this type of cleaning is the fact that it reaches below the gumline, removing the plaque built up over time. It is this that has earned the process the alternative name of deep cleaning.

When does scaling become a necessity?

Most people with healthy gums can be relatively certain that they won't have any trouble maintaining a safe level of plaque. However, gum disease forms deeper pockets around the teeth, resulting in an excess of plaque - that's when scaling becomes a necessity.

What's the difference between scaling and root planing?

Dental scaling can be performed using handheld instruments, or an ultrasonic instrument with a vibrating metal tip used in tandem with a cool water spray, Root planing is a procedure that can be performed additionally and is performed in a similar manner but reaches deeper into the tooth's root.

Is scaling painful?

Scaling may feel uncomfortable, particularly if you have sensitive gums, but if you prefer we can offer anaesthetics to alleviate this discomfort.

What are the results of scaling?

While you may experience some discomfort after scaling, the results are much healthier gums and a cleaner mouth.