Patient Periodontal

The most common procedures involved Information Leaflet No. 3

in periodontal treatment are scaling
and root planing.

Scaling involves removal of plaque and calculus deposits

that are visible above and just below the gum line on the
root of the tooth. Your dental professional may use an
ultrasonic cleaning device or hand instruments to do this.

Root planing is a more time consuming procedure that

involves scraping and smoothing the root surfaces of your
teeth. Gum tissues can more firmly reattach to roots that
are clean and smooth.
Figure 4. Scaling Figure 5. Root Planing

For further enquiries

Dental Practice Education Research Unit
ARCPOH, School of Dentistry
Quitting Smoking The University of Adelaide, SA 5005
Smoking increases the risk of having more rapidly
Phone: +61 8 8313 6084
destructive periodontal disease. It also places you at Fax: +61 8 8313 4858
risk of mouth cancers. If you are a smoker, your dental Online enquiries: arcpoh.adelaide.edu.au/dperu
professional will probably advise you on the availability of
“quit-smoking” programs and materials.

Gum Disease
adelaide.edu.au

facebook.com/uniofadelaide
Australia Quitline: 137 848 (13 QUIT)
twitter.com/uniofadelaide

New Zealand Quitline: 0800 778 778 youtube.com/universityofadelaide

What does periodontal
treatment involve?
Disclaimer: The information in this publication is current as at the date of printing and is

Your dental professional may refer you

subject to change. You can find updated information on our website at adelaide.edu.au
With the aim of continual improvement the University of Adelaide is committed to regular
reviews of the degrees, diplomas, certificates and courses on offer. As a result the specific
to a periodontist – a specialist in gum programs and courses available will change from time to time. Please refer to adelaide.edu.au
for the most up to date information or contact us on 1800 061 459. The University of Adelaide

diseases. assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information provided by third parties.

CRICOS 00123M © The University of Adelaide. Published Oct 2015

Acknowledgement:

Colgate Periodontal Education Program | Colgate Oral Care

Periodontal treatment is care that The type of periodontal treatment needed will vary according Oral hygiene instruction
to the severity of your gum problem. Different aspects of
your dental professional undertakes to treatment, and the time it is likely to take, will be explained The first goal of oral hygiene instruction is to improve your
ensure you have healthy gums. by your dental professional. The treatment plan is usually ability to remove plaque from your teeth. Your dental
adapted to fit with other dental treatment you may require. professional will assist you with the correct techniques for
Periodontal treatment is designed brushing and flossing your teeth.
specifically for your level of gum Figure 2. Mouth with severe periodontal disease
Other home aids may be suggested to help control plaque
disease. build-up, such as mouth-rinses, floss, inter-dental tooth
brushes, toothpastes and disclosing solutions. Instruction
Periodontal disease involves destruction of tooth-supporting will be given on their use, and how often they should be
tissues (bone and gum). It occurs in a cyclic manner, with used to be effective.
bursts of destruction and periods of inactivity. Figure 3. Dental
products that help
improve oral hygiene

Periodontal treatment aims to:

> remove the irritants that may be associated with the active
destructive phase of the disease.
> maintain your gum tissues to prevent further destruction.
> advise you how to keep your gums as healthy as possible.
What does periodontal treatment
Figure 1. Periodontal disease showing loss of bone
involve?
A plan for periodontal treatment involves the development
of an ordered sequence of dental procedures which will be
undertaken to restore your teeth and gums to health.
This plan will organise the different treatments to be used into
a specific order to get the best results.
Filling replacement
Periodontal treatment usually involves oral hygiene instruction
Some of your fillings and crowns may be contributing to the
and removal of plaque and calculus build-up. It may also
inflammation of your gums. These may need to be reshaped
involve a review of medical conditions, filling replacement and
or replaced to provide surfaces that are easier to keep clean.
The success of periodontal treatment is largely due to the advice to assist with smoking cessation.
effort you as an individual make to remove the daily build-up Figure 6. Fillings or
crowns may need to be
of plaque from tooth and gum surfaces. To prevent and help
heal inflamed gums, it is essential to control plaque build-up. Removal of plaque and calculus smoothed or replaced

build-up Areas where plaque

may accumulate
Your dental professional will remove plaque and calculus
You are the person who plays the most that has built up over a period of time. Plaque is a sticky,
important role in your periodontal colourless film of bacteria that builds up on the teeth and is
treatment. the major cause of gingivitis and periodontitis. Calculus is
plaque that has hardened over time (often called “tartar”).