Bleeding gums, persistent bad breath and gum recession may be signs that plaque and tartar have collected below the gumline. When bacteria settle around the tooth roots, an ordinary dental cleaning may not reach deeply enough to control the problem. Scaling and root planing in Las Vegas, Nevada, provides a more thorough cleaning to help manage gum disease and protect the tissues supporting your teeth.
At Preferred Family Dentistry, Dr. Salmeh Jafarifar evaluates your gums, measures the spaces around your teeth and develops a treatment plan based on the extent of your condition. This nonsurgical periodontal treatment removes bacterial deposits below the gumline and cleans affected root surfaces so the gums have a healthier environment in which to heal.
Call 702-433-0355 today to schedule a periodontal evaluation if your gums bleed, feel tender or appear to be pulling away from your teeth.
What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning treatment used for patients with periodontal disease. It addresses plaque, tartar and bacteria that have accumulated beneath the gumline and along the roots of the teeth.
The treatment has two primary components:
- Scaling: Plaque and hardened tartar are removed from the tooth surfaces above and below the gumline.
- Root planing: Affected root surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and smoothed to remove bacterial deposits and create a healthier surface next to the gums.
This treatment is more extensive than a routine teeth cleaning. It is recommended when an examination shows periodontal pockets, buildup below the gumline or other signs that gum disease has progressed beyond mild gingivitis.
Why Gum Disease Requires More Than a Routine Cleaning
Healthy gums fit closely around the teeth. When periodontal disease develops, inflammation can cause the gums to separate from the tooth surfaces, forming deeper spaces known as periodontal pockets.
These pockets can trap plaque, tartar and bacteria where toothbrushes, floss and routine cleaning instruments cannot reach effectively. As the condition progresses, inflammation may damage the gums and the bone that supports the teeth.
A routine cleaning is intended to maintain generally healthy gums. Scaling and root planing reaches farther below the gumline to address the deposits associated with active periodontal disease.
Covering the symptoms without removing this deeper buildup may allow the condition to continue progressing. Dr. Jafarifar will determine which type of cleaning matches the current health of your gums.
Signs You May Need a Deep Cleaning
Periodontal disease does not always cause significant pain. Some patients first learn they have a problem during a routine dental examination, while others notice gradual changes in their gums or breath.
Possible signs include:
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Red, swollen or tender gum tissue
- Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste
- Gums that are pulling away from the teeth
- Teeth that appear longer because of recession
- Pus or drainage near the gumline
- Discomfort when chewing
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Deep periodontal pockets
- Bone loss visible on dental X-rays
These symptoms can vary in severity and may have more than one cause. A professional examination is necessary to determine whether you need routine preventive care, scaling and root planing or another periodontal treatment.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease begins when bacterial plaque remains around the teeth and gumline. If plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which cannot be brushed away at home.
Several factors may increase your likelihood of developing periodontal problems, including:
- Inconsistent brushing or cleaning between the teeth
- A history of heavy plaque or tartar accumulation
- Tobacco use
- Dry mouth
- Certain medications
- Changes in hormones
- Some medical conditions
- Genetic susceptibility
- Crowded teeth or dental work that is difficult to clean around
- Infrequent professional dental care
Even patients who brush regularly may develop gum disease when tartar forms in areas that are difficult to reach. Dr. Jafarifar considers your symptoms, oral hygiene, health history and clinical findings when recommending treatment.
How We Evaluate Your Gum Health
Your periodontal evaluation begins with a discussion of any bleeding, sensitivity, recession, bad breath or changes you have noticed. Our team will then examine the condition of your teeth and gums.
The evaluation may include:
- Checking for redness, swelling and bleeding
- Measuring the spaces between your teeth and gums
- Identifying areas of gum recession
- Looking for plaque and tartar buildup
- Evaluating whether any teeth feel loose
- Reviewing your dental and health history
- Taking digital X-rays when needed
Digital X-rays can help Dr. Jafarifar evaluate the bone supporting your teeth and identify changes that are not visible during a clinical examination. The practice may also use an intraoral camera to help show you areas of inflammation, buildup or recession.
After reviewing the findings, Dr. Jafarifar will explain whether scaling and root planing is appropriate and which areas of your mouth need treatment.
What Happens During Scaling and Root Planing?
The treatment may be completed in one appointment or divided into multiple visits. The number of visits depends on how many areas are affected, the amount of buildup present and the condition of your gums.
Keeping You Comfortable
Local anesthesia may be used to numb the treatment area and help keep you comfortable during deeper cleaning. Let our team know if your gums are especially sensitive or if you feel anxious about periodontal treatment.
Removing Plaque and Tartar
Specialized instruments are used to remove plaque and hardened tartar from the tooth surfaces and beneath the gumline. Particular attention is given to periodontal pockets where bacteria have accumulated around the roots.
Cleaning the Root Surfaces
The affected root surfaces are carefully cleaned and smoothed. Removing bacterial deposits and rough areas helps create a cleaner environment next to the gums.
Planning Follow-Up Care
After treatment, our team will explain how to care for your mouth and when to return for reevaluation. Your gums need time to respond before Dr. Jafarifar can assess the full effect of treatment.
Is Scaling and Root Planing Painful?
Local anesthesia can be used to reduce discomfort during the procedure. You may feel pressure or movement while the teeth are being cleaned, but the treated areas should remain numb.
Afterward, temporary tenderness, mild bleeding or sensitivity to temperature may occur. These effects often improve as the gums begin healing. The amount of sensitivity can depend on how inflamed the tissues were and how much buildup needed to be removed.
Our team will provide instructions for managing temporary discomfort and keeping the treated areas clean. Contact us if you develop severe pain, increasing swelling or symptoms that do not improve as expected.
Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing addresses the source of periodontal inflammation by removing buildup from areas that cannot be cleaned effectively at home.
Potential benefits include:
- Removing plaque and tartar from below the gumline
- Reducing bacteria around the tooth roots
- Helping control bleeding and inflammation
- Supporting healthier gum tissue
- Improving persistent breath related to periodontal buildup
- Slowing the progression of periodontal disease
- Helping protect the bone and tissue supporting the teeth
- Reducing the risk of tooth loss associated with advanced disease
Treatment cannot restore gum or bone tissue that has already been lost, and it does not permanently eliminate the possibility of periodontal disease returning. Ongoing home care and professional maintenance are necessary to control the condition.
What Happens After a Deep Cleaning?
As inflammation decreases, your gums may become less swollen and fit more closely around the teeth. Bleeding, tenderness and bad breath may also improve when bacterial buildup is brought under control.
A follow-up evaluation allows Dr. Jafarifar to assess:
- Whether bleeding and inflammation have decreased
- How the periodontal pockets have responded
- Whether plaque control has improved
- Whether any areas need additional treatment
- What maintenance schedule is appropriate
Some patients respond well to nonsurgical periodontal treatment and ongoing maintenance. Others may have deep or persistent areas that require additional care. Dr. Jafarifar will explain the next step based on your response rather than assuming every patient needs the same treatment.
Scaling and Root Planing and Laser Irrigation
Laser irrigation may be incorporated into a periodontal treatment plan for qualifying patients. The two treatments serve complementary purposes.
Scaling and root planing physically removes plaque and hardened tartar from the teeth and root surfaces. Laser irrigation uses dental laser energy to help reduce bacteria within selected periodontal pockets.
Laser treatment does not remove all hardened tartar and should not automatically replace scaling and root planing when a deep cleaning is needed. Dr. Jafarifar, who has used dental laser technology for approximately 20 years, will determine whether laser-assisted care may provide additional support in your case.
Will You Need Periodontal Maintenance?
Many patients who have been treated for periodontal disease need ongoing periodontal maintenance rather than returning immediately to a standard six-month cleaning schedule.
Periodontal maintenance focuses on controlling new buildup above and below the gumline and monitoring areas previously affected by disease. These visits may be scheduled more frequently because bacteria can recolonize periodontal pockets over time.
Your recommended schedule will depend on:
- The severity of your original periodontal disease
- Your remaining pocket depths
- How quickly tartar accumulates
- Your home care
- Smoking or other risk factors
- Your response to scaling and root planing
Keeping these visits is an important part of protecting the results of treatment and reducing the likelihood of further tissue or bone loss.
How to Care for Your Gums at Home
Professional treatment removes the buildup already present, but daily home care helps control new plaque between appointments.
To support healthier gums:
- Brush thoroughly at least twice each day
- Clean between your teeth every day
- Use any specialized brushes or oral hygiene products recommended by our team
- Avoid tobacco products
- Drink water regularly if you experience dry mouth
- Keep your periodontal maintenance appointments
- Report renewed bleeding, swelling or tenderness
Our team can demonstrate techniques and recommend products based on the spaces between your teeth, areas of recession and any dental restorations that require additional attention.
What If Gum Disease Is Left Untreated?
Periodontal disease is progressive. Without treatment and maintenance, inflammation may continue damaging the tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place.
Untreated disease may lead to:
- Increasing pocket depth
- Additional gum recession
- Continued bone loss
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Changes in the bite
- Recurring infection or drainage
- Tooth loss in advanced cases
Because the condition may advance without severe pain, delaying care until a tooth feels loose can limit the available treatment options. Early evaluation gives Dr. Jafarifar a better opportunity to manage the disease and protect the foundation of your smile.
How Much Does Scaling and Root Planing Cost?
The cost of treatment depends on the number of areas involved, the severity of periodontal disease and whether additional services are needed. Some patients require treatment in one section of the mouth, while others need more extensive care.
Factors may include:
- The number of quadrants being treated
- The depth of periodontal pockets
- The amount of plaque and tartar buildup
- Whether digital X-rays are needed
- Whether laser-assisted treatment is recommended
- The follow-up and maintenance schedule
After your evaluation, our team will explain the recommended treatment and associated costs. Insurance coverage varies, so benefits can be reviewed before care begins when applicable.
Why Choose Preferred Family Dentistry for Scaling and Root Planing?
Dr. Jafarifar has practiced dentistry since 2004 and has led Preferred Family Dentistry since 2006. During more than two decades of clinical care, she has treated thousands of periodontal and gum disease cases.
This experience helps Dr. Jafarifar distinguish between mild inflammation that may respond to improved preventive care and active periodontal disease that requires deeper treatment. She evaluates the condition of each area and explains why scaling and root planing, maintenance or another approach may be recommended.
Dr. Jafarifar has also completed approximately 500 hours of continuing education beyond dental school. The practice uses digital X-rays, intraoral cameras and dental laser technology when appropriate to support evaluation, treatment and patient understanding.
Related Periodontal and Preventive Services
FAQ About Scaling and Root Planing
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and scaling and root planing?
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from generally healthy teeth and around the gumline. Scaling and root planing treats periodontal buildup beneath the gums and along the tooth roots.
Does scaling and root planing hurt?
Local anesthesia may be used to numb the treatment area. Temporary tenderness or sensitivity can occur afterward, especially when significant inflammation or buildup was present.
How many appointments will I need?
Treatment may be completed in one visit or divided into several appointments. The schedule depends on how many areas require care and the severity of your periodontal disease.
Can scaling and root planing cure gum disease?
It can help control active periodontal disease by removing bacterial deposits below the gumline. Periodontal disease often requires ongoing maintenance because bacteria and inflammation can return.
How soon will my gums improve after treatment?
Bleeding, swelling and tenderness may begin improving as the gums heal, but response times vary. A follow-up evaluation allows Dr. Jafarifar to measure your progress.
Can I eat after scaling and root planing?
Wait until numbness has worn off before chewing to avoid biting your cheek or tongue. You may prefer softer foods temporarily if the gums or teeth feel sensitive.
Will I need deep cleaning more than once?
Some patients need scaling and root planing only during the initial active treatment phase, while others may require additional treatment in areas where disease persists or returns. Ongoing periodontal maintenance is commonly recommended.
Can I prevent periodontal disease from returning?
Consistent brushing, daily cleaning between the teeth, tobacco avoidance and regular periodontal maintenance can reduce the risk of recurrence, but no treatment can guarantee that gum disease will never return.
Do you provide scaling and root planing in Las Vegas, NV?
Yes. Our dentist provides scaling and root planing in Las Vegas and neighboring areas for patients with periodontal pockets, buildup below the gumline and other signs of gum disease.
Schedule a Periodontal Evaluation in Las Vegas, NV
Bleeding and receding gums should not be ignored simply because they are not painful. Scaling and root planing may help control active periodontal disease and protect the support surrounding your natural teeth.
Call 702-433-0355 today to schedule an evaluation for scaling and root planing in Las Vegas, NV.