Dr E Aremo Yanthan
Senior Dentist, Department of Dentistry CIHSR
Scaling & root planing is a dental procedure done routinely on the Client’s demand. This procedure is readily availableat Dimapur,Kohima,Wokha, and Mokokchung& in almost all government establishments including the CHCs.Tobacco,pan &Tamul consumers have heavy red and black stains on their teeth & Scaling provides a quick solution for a sparkling white & naturally looking teeth.Thus, it is sought by both men & women for its cosmetic value.
Therapeutic value is often appreciated by clinicians & dental patientspost-therapy.It can eliminate dental pain,bad breath,bleeding gums, and swellings,reduce gum pockets & eliminate infection,stop pus formation,arrest the destruction of soft tissue & bone, reduce abnormal tooth mobility,establish optimal chewing function,restore gums destroyed by disease,re-establish the normal gums,prevent the recurrence of disease & reduce tooth loss. However, this is just a local therapy, and therefore, systemic therapy may be employed as an adjunct for the control of complications in systemic diseases like kidney disease,lung diseases,heart diseases,blood diseases,pregnancy,diabetes,hepatitis,STDs, AIDS, TB,etc.
By definition, Scaling is the process by which plaque,bacteria &calculus/stones formed on the teeth are removed from the tooth surfaces. Root planing is the process by which stones and portions of the tooth are removed to produce a smooth,hard & clean surface. Removing plaque,calculus & endotoxin is the primary objective whereby healthy gums and teeth are maintained.The deposits on the visible portion of the tooth are usually superficial and scaling alone is sufficient to completely remove plaque and calculus. Deposits on the invisible portion/root surfaces are frequently embedded in tooth irregularities; scaling alone is insufficient to remove them.Where cementumor root is thin, instrumentation may expose dentin leading to sensitivity.
The vibrational energy in Ultrasonic scaling is useful for removing heavy,tenacious deposits of calculus and stains. It is used for initial debridement in patients withacute,painful conditions such as Necrotizing Ulcerative gingivitis, subgingival root debridement &deplaning in maintenance patients with residual gummy pockets. Ultrasonicscaling has also been used for gingival curettage and to remove overhangs & excess cement after cementing orthodontic appliances.
Cardiac pacemakers,communicable diseases,Respiratory disease in the immunosuppressed or chronic pulmonary disorder, and porcelain or bonded restorations are contraindications for ultrasonic or sonic scaling devices.
