Dental Root Planing near Osterley

Dental Root Planing (Deep Clean) near Osterley

Root planing — also called debridement or deep cleaning — is the primary non-surgical treatment for periodontitis (gum disease). It removes bacterial deposits from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces to allow the gum tissue to reattach and heal.

What is root planing?

Root planing involves using specialist instruments to clean the root surfaces of the teeth deep within the gum pockets. The procedure removes calculus, bacterial toxins and infected tissue from below the gumline — the area that a standard scale and polish cannot reach. The root surface is then smoothed to discourage bacteria from reattaching and to encourage the gum to reattach to the root.

What does treatment involve?

Root planing is usually carried out under local anaesthetic so the area is fully numb throughout. Treatment is typically completed in two to four appointments, treating one or two quadrants of the mouth at a time. Each appointment takes approximately one hour. A review appointment follows 6–8 weeks later to assess the response and determine whether any further treatment is needed.

Is surgery ever needed?

Root planing resolves the majority of cases of gum disease without surgery. In cases where pockets remain very deep after root planing or where bone loss is significant, periodontal surgery may be considered as a second stage. Dr Raghu Chhibba will discuss all options at your consultation.