- To stop gum disease from progressing, we may advise periodontal therapy, or deep cleaning. This is to get rid of the bacteria in the pocket and provides the necessary conditions for healing to occur.
- There is some confusion about the difference between scaling and root planning. Scaling is basically the process of removing dental tartar from the surfaces of the teeth.
- Curettage or root planning is the process to smoothen the root surfaces and removing any infected tooth structure.
- In curettage procedures, instruments are used to cut away dead tissue. The idea is that such tissue can contribute to inflammation, infection, and bad odors and that removal of the damaged tissue will promote the development of healthy tissue.
