Scaling and Root Planing in Louisville, KY

MINT dentistry is dedicated to helping the Louisville, KY community achieve a healthy, sexy smile. Ideally, we try to help you prevent dental conditions by recommending regular checkups and dental cleanings; however, if you have signs of periodontal disease, your normal cleaning twice a year might need a little extra help. MINT dentistry utilizes advanced equipment and techniques to arrest the progression of periodontitis through SRP, or scaling and root planing therapy. Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical option performed by one of our MINT dentistry practitioners to remove plaque and tartar buildup that has collected below the gumline, within the spaces between your teeth and gums. This therapy works to help treat active gum disease, heal the gum tissues, and boost your gum health. If you have reason to believe you are suffering from gum disease, schedule a consultation at our modern practice in Louisville, KY. Regardless of the condition of your mouth and gums, we will help you get a sexy, attractive smile with experienced, professional care.

When gum disease reaches the periodontitis stage, harmful oral bacteria that thrive in the tartar and plaque cause the gums to pull away from the tooth and the jawbone to break down. During your dental examination, we will assess the depths of your gum pockets and take dental x-rays to check the amount of bone supporting your teeth. If the depths are greater than three millimeters and there is evidence of the breakdown of bone tissue on your x-rays, scaling and root planing treatment may be the recommended option. Some early symptoms of gum disease are often chronic bad breath, tooth mobility, and tender, inflamed gums that bleed, look red, and are pulling away from the teeth. If periodontitis is identified and addressed early, SRP treatment can minimize the condition; however, if it has progressed to later stages (advanced periodontitis), you may need more extensive treatments to improve your oral health.

When performing an SRP treatment at our Louisville, KY office, your MINT dentist will utilize a local anesthesia on the areas being treated to keep you comfortable. Your dentist may also recommend one of our sedation dentistry techniques if you experience mild to severe dental stress or anxiety. To start your SRP treatment, you can enjoy relaxing in a massaging chair. After selecting your choice of music and putting on a pair of our Beats headphones, you will be given some sleek MINT shades to help you feel at ease. Once you've been prepped, a dental team member will use special instruments to carefully remove plaque and tartar accumulation within your periodontal pockets. We will then meticulously perform root planing, smoothing the surfaces of the teeth. Developing a clean, healthy surface encourages the gums to reattach to the tooth surfaces and lessens the locations where plaque and tartar can regrow.

Following your appointment, your mouth will remain numb until the local anesthesia wears off. You may have gum tenderness and temperature sensitivity for a couple of days. Our MINT dentistry team will discuss post-op instructions on how to take care of your teeth and gums as your gums heal. It is important to maintain a regular dental care routine at home each day, including daily flossing and brushing, to keep your teeth and gums healthy and bright. Our Louisville, KY dentists might suggest periodontal maintenance visits to help inhibit periodontal disease and help stop active periodontal conditions from flaring up. Generally set up 3 – 4 times a year, these visits take the place of six-month dental cleanings and enable our team to track your periodontal condition closely.

Some dental policies may partially cover scaling and root planing therapy. If you have dental insurance, our financial coordinator will contact your carrier to review the specific coverage of your policy and then calculate your out-of-pocket costs. If you do not have insurance, MINT dentistry in Louisville, KY is committed to helping you afford your dental procedures by accepting many different payment methods, including medical financing, which we can tell you about in your initial consultation. Ask one of our dental professionals about the MINT Discount Plan, which can help you afford everything you need to get a healthy, beautiful smile.

Gum disease can keep you from having a gorgeous smile. However, when gum disease is identified in the periodontitis stage, it can typically be addressed with SRP (scaling and root planing). Please contact MINT dentistry in Louisville, KY to schedule an appointment or get more information. The board-certified dentists at MINT dentistry perform treatments like scaling and root planing to help you achieve a healthy, luminous smile.