CURETTAGE AND ROOT PLANNING

Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two major diseases that affect your gum and surrounding structures that hold the tooth.

Gingivitis is the inflammation of gums while Periodontitis is the inflammation of supporting structure that holds the teeth.

When to visit a dentist?

You should visit the dentist if you have any of the following symptoms

• Yellowish hard deposits along gum line
• Red swollen gums that bleed while brushing
• Pus / metallic taste
• Gums receding from teeth or teeth appear to be lengthened
• Mobile teeth
• Shifting of teeth or changes in alignment
• Food impaction between teeth

What is the treatment protocol for gingivitis and periodontitis?

Foremost line of treatment is scaling/oral prophylaxis to remove the plaque/tartar that has formed around the teeth.

If the inflammation/infection has reached below the gum line, curettage/root planning is required.

 What is curettage and root planning?

It is nothing but deep cleaning of teeth and surrounding tissue. This procedure is done in adjuvant to regular scaling/oral prophylaxis. It alleviates the swelling, inflammation and bleeding due to plaque and tartar build up along the gum lines and the roots of the teeth.

What happens if the tartar is not removed?

Presence of tartar below the gum line leads to inflammation and infection of gums.Long standing gum infection results in bone loss leading to tooth mobility.