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Root Surface Debridement

    Contact us today to restore and heal your smile

    • Non-Surgical
    • Deep cleaning
    • Eradication of gum disease

    Avg. Treatment Time

    Varies

    Anaesthetic

    No

    No. of Treatments

    Varies

    Root surface debridement involves the careful removal of deposits of calculus and plaque from the root surface. When healthy, the gum surrounding the tooth will fit tightly with a small space between measuring 1-3mm.

    “I can’t believe I am saying this, especially as someone who has suffered rather extreme dental anxiety in the past, but I have actually LOOK FORWARD to going to the dentist…! The team are fabulous, so friendly so attentive, so talented. I couldn’t recommend them any higher.”

    When gum disease takes hold around the root of the tooth, you may require a root surface debridement to provide a deep clean and disinfection of the damaged area.

    In active gum disease, this space becomes bigger and forms a pocket where bacteria, plaque and calculus can build up. This causes the surrounding gum to become inflamed and lead to gum disease. If the gum disease is severe it can lead to bone loss and eventually tooth loss, as there is a lack of support from the surrounding structures.

    Root Surface Debridement at the Neem Tree

    This treatment is performed using an ultrasonic device and hand instruments to remove bacteria and toxins from the root of the tooth. Depending on how severe the infection is, you may also require antimicrobial medication.

    We use local anaesthetic to ensure that the procedure is as comfortable and painless as possible.

    Contact us today to find out more about our Root Surface Debridement services from one of our practices.

    Fee Guide

    Specialist Consultation (excl. diagnostic x-rays)£260
    Periodontal Review (1 hour)£260
    6-point Periodontal Chart£160
    Gum GraftingPlease contact
    Crown Lengthening Surgeryfrom £600
    Peri-implantitisfrom £425
    Surgical Periodontal Treatmentfrom £575
    Periodontal Maintenancefrom £145
    Non-Surgical Root Surface Debridementfrom £425 per hour
    Pinhole Gum Graftingfrom £1,250

    Learn more about root surface debridement

    What is the root surface debridement procedure?

    The aim of root surface debridement is to get deep into the periodontal pocket to clean the root surface and remove bacterial toxins. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic for patient comfort with hand instruments and an ultrasonic device. It can be carried out in one or more appointments depending on severity. In some cases the procedure may be followed by adjunctive therapy which involves local delivery of antimicrobials.

    Assessment: The first stage of the root surface debridement procedure is for your dentist to thoroughly assess your oral health and determine the best course of action for you. During your appointment, your dentist will use probes and in some cases x-rays to figure out how deep the pockets are around your gums.

    Anaesthetic: You will be placed under a local anaesthetic to numb the area around your gums. This ensures that you are as comfortable as possible, as well as making the procedure easier.

    Scaling and planing: Your dentist will then carefully clean the plague and tartar that has built up underneath the gum line. This hardened material cannot be reach with normal brushes or floss. We do this to remove all bacteria and toxins that can damage your teeth, gums and jawbone. We use specialised instruments to scrape away the plaque, as well as smoothing the edges of the roots of your teeth. These ensures we clear away as much as possible and leave your teeth and gums as clean as we can.

    Aftercare: Once the procedure is completed we will use antibacterial and antimicrobial medicine in the affected area. This allows us to fully clean and sanitise the affected gums. Your dentist will also discuss with you the best oral hygiene routine to help maintain the health of your gums. This may include further medical treatments such as antimicrobial mouthwash.

    How effective is the procedure?

    This procedure is very effective if you are able to maintain a good level of oral hygiene and have regular periodontal maintenance.

    Are there any side effects to the treatment?

    Your gums may be sore for up to 3-4 days after the procedure. You may also notice a small amount of gum shrinkage and sensitivity. This is only temporary and will only last a few weeks.

    What is the long term success of this treatment?

    For many patients, deep cleaning is sufficient to control diseases. However, success is dependent on many factors such as patient compliance with oral hygiene, tooth and root anatomy and disease severity from the start.

    Glossary

    Antimicrobials
    Antimicrobials are drugs that kill or stop the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria.

    Calculus
    Calculus (or tartar) is a hardened form of plaque that occurs when plaque is not removed properly.

    Periodontal pocket
    A periodontal pocket forms when the gums recede and pull away from the tooth to form a small gap, or pocket.

    Plaque
    Plaque is the sticky, pale yellow or colourless film that appears on your teeth. Plaque is filled with bacteria and causes tooth decay.

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