Is Scale & Root Planing Painful?

One of the most common concerns raised by patients scheduled to have a marin county scaling and root planing procedure performed is, “How painful is the procedure?” Although there is some discomfort involved in having a scale and root planing procedure performed, local anesthetics and dental sedation (if necessary) significantly reduces (and may eliminate) procedural pain.

One factor that will impact the extent of discomfort is the severity of your case. Patients who have developed early periodontal disease may only require that one or two quadrants of their mouth receive treatment, in which case the procedure can be completed in just one visit and pain and discomfort will be less. Patients with more severe cases may require three or all four quadrants to receive treatment, in which case the length of the visit and discomfort involved will be more significant.

Although there is discomfort involved in the scaling and root planing procedure, it is important to remember that avoiding treatment and allowing periodontal disease to progress places you at greater risk of developing more severe oral and health issues, with treatment options that will likely be significantly more painful.

If fear of procedural pain is preventing you from receiving the care you need, talk to your periodontist about dental sedation options.

What is Involved in the Scaling and Root Planing Procedure?

Prior to the scaling and root planing procedure, your periodontist will administer a local anesthetic, and if necessary, dental sedation to minimize or eliminate procedural pain. Once you are sufficiently numbed and comfortable, the scaling process will begin with the removal of tartar that has hardened on the surface of your teeth below your gum line. This tartar is removed using a dental scaler and curette (a metal tool designed to scrape away the plaque that has developed where your toothbrush cannot reach) or with an ultrasonic instrument that chips away the tartar using a vibrating metal tip and flushing the tartar out of the pocket using a water spray.

Once the scaling process is complete and the tartar has been removed, the surface of the roots are smoothed out or “planed”. Creating this smooth surface makes it more difficult for bacteria to adhere to, which in turn will allow time for your gums to properly reattach.

Post Procedural Care

Although procedural pain can be reduced or eliminated, you will likely experience mild discomfort during the recovery process. To reduce discomfort and ensure a speedy recovery, follow these post-procedural self-care instructions.

Relieving Pain and Discomfort

Immediately following the scale and root planing procedure, patients typically experience an aching or throbbing sensation. This typically subsides in a few hours, after which non-aspirin analgesic or acetaminophen can be taken to reduce pain or discomfort that remains.

Oral Hygiene

Any pain or discomfort that occurs while brushing your teeth will typically be gone within the first few days. While your gums are tender, practice gentle brushing techniques until the tenderness subsides. Patients can typically resume normal brushing within three or four days following the procedure.

Modifying Your Diet

It may not be necessary to make any changes to your normal eating routine unless the scale and root planing procedure was extensive, in which case, stick to a soft food diet for a few days following the procedure until pain or sensitivity has gone away.

If you follow these simple steps along with any post-procedural instructions provided by your periodontist, you should be back to feeling normal in no time!

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