Scaling and Planing Procedure

Gum disease can be painful, it can affect the look of your smile, it can cause the loss of teeth, and it can affect overall health. At Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, we take gum disease seriously. One of the ways we fight gum disease is by performing scaling and planing procedures.

Gum disease can create deep pockets in the gums where bacteria can build up. A scaling and planing procedure removes the bacteria so the area can heal without infection. The scaling portion of this process removes the bacteria that sit below the gum line. A tool is used to scrape the tooth’s root clean of plaque and tartar. This will remove most of the bacteria. Then, the planing portion of the procedure smooths down the tooth’s root, so that any rough patches where bacteria could hide are removed.

Gum disease can lead to disastrous oral health along with increased risks of heart attack and stroke. If you are showing signs of gum disease such as red, bleeding, or painful gums, be sure to schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. It becomes more difficult to treat gum disease the longer it goes on.

To learn more about the scaling and planing procedure, do not hesitate to ask us questions. To schedule an appointment with Smiles of Cary in our Cary, NC dental office, call us at (919) 462-3350 or visit our website, www.smilesofcary.com. 

Stages of Periodontal Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis. If you don’t, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with Dr. Charles Ferzli at Smiles of Cary twice a year to avoid this condition.

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bones supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you suffer from sensitive gums, it’s not too late, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.smilesofcary.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Ferzli at Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, call 919-462-3350.

Arestin for Fighting Gum Disease

Gum disease can create deep pockets in the gums which collect bacteria and perpetuate the condition. When scaling and root planing, here at Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, we like to use Arestin. Arestin is an antibiotic applied right to the source of the gum disease.

Hard-to-reach bacteria deep down by the tooth’s root can become stuck and continue the cycle of gum disease. A scaling and root planing is performed to remove the hardened tartar from the tooth and the tooth root. We then smooth down the surface of the tooth’s root so that bacteria cannot hide in it. We then add Arestin, an antibiotic made of microspheres. We place Arestin into the gum pocket to help kill any leftover bacteria. The tiny microspheres are not visible to the naked eye, and they dissolve on their own. This means there is no need to go back to the dentist to have them taken out, like antibiotic fibers of the past. In addition, they are time-released, so they keep working long after they are applied.

If you are having a periodontic procedure done to fight gum disease, ask us about Arestin. To schedule an appointment at Smiles of Cary in Cary, NC, call our office at (919) 462-3350 or visit our website, www.smilesofcary.com.