Root Surface Debridement in London

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.

Smita Mehra

A word from Smita Mehra, Principal Dentist

Root surface debridement is beneficial in treating periodontal disease by removing plaque, tartar, and infected tissue from the tooth’s root surfaces, promoting gum health and preventing further progression of the condition. Our dentists are experts in this procedure and use state-of-the-art equipment to ensure your teeth and gums are as clean as possible.

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.

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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

Cleaning the roots of your teeth is vital for keeping your mouth healthy and preventing dental problems. This process, called root surface debridement, is like a deep clean for your gums. It helps get rid of plaque, tartar, and bacteria hiding around your teeth roots.

During this procedure, dentists use special tools to clean below your gum line where regular brushing and flossing can’t reach. By getting rid of harmful stuff, like bacteria and build-up, it helps reduce inflammation, promote healing, and stop gum disease from getting worse.

Root surface debridement is especially important if you already have gum disease, as it can prevent more serious dental problems down the road. 

By dealing with the root cause of gum disease and keeping your mouth clean, it helps protect your teeth and overall oral health.

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 our practices in Esher, Surrey or Wandsworth, South West London.

London

Wandsworth

The Neem Tree
Wandsworth Dental Practice

515 Old York Rd, Wandsworth, London, SW18 1TF
Call: 02088 700 030
Email: [email protected]

Surrey

Esher

The Neem Tree
Esher Dental Practice

138 High Street, Esher, KT10 9QJ
Call: 01372 464 000
Email: [email protected]

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 Root Surface Debridement and Why is it Necessary?

Cleaning the roots of your teeth is important for keeping your mouth healthy, especially if you have gum disease. This condition happens when bacteria build up around your teeth, causing swelling and possibly even making you lose teeth if you don’t treat it.

During root surface debridement, a dentist carefully cleans the roots of your teeth using special tools to remove bacteria and build-up below your gumline. This deep cleaning helps get rid of the source of the infection and lets your gums heal and attach back to your teeth.

Root surface debridement is super important because it stops gum disease from getting worse and prevents damage to the structures that support your teeth. By getting rid of the bacteria that cause inflammation and infection, it helps restore oral health and keep your teeth and gums strong.

Overall, root surface debridement is a crucial part of good dental care. It helps keep your gums healthy, prevents tooth loss, and makes sure your whole mouth stays in great shape. Getting regular cleanings from a dentist and keeping up with good oral hygiene habits at home make the benefits of root surface debridement even better, ensuring your mouth stays healthy.

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.

The benefits of root surface debridement.

Cleaning the roots of your teeth is important for keeping your mouth healthy. Root surface debridement does just that by getting rid of plaque and gunk from the roots of your teeth. This helps stop gum disease from getting worse and keeps your teeth and gums healthy.

One big benefit of root surface debridement is that it gets rid of harmful bacteria hiding below your gumline. These bacteria can cause swelling, infections, and even damage the tissues around your teeth if left untreated. By cleaning the roots well, the dentist can stop gum disease from spreading and help the affected area heal.

Also, root surface debridement can help reduce the depth of gum pockets, which are spaces between your teeth and gums caused by gum disease. Cleaning out the plaque and gunk from these spaces makes the pockets smaller, so it’s harder for bacteria to gather and cause more damage.

Plus, this treatment can make your smile look better by reducing gum swelling and promoting healthy pink gum tissue. People who have root surface debridement often notice fresher breath, healthier gums, and a cleaner feeling in their mouths.

Overall, root surface debridement has many benefits for oral health and is crucial for keeping your smile strong and healthy. Regular visits to the dentist for cleanings and treatments like root surface debridement play a big part in preventing gum disease and keeping your teeth and gums in great shape.

How does it differ from regular dental cleaning?

Root surface debridement is an important dental procedure that goes deeper than regular cleanings. While normal cleanings focus on removing plaque and tartar from the visible parts of your teeth, root surface debridement targets the areas beneath your gumline.

During this procedure, dentists use special tools to reach and clean the roots of your teeth, getting rid of plaque, tartar, and bacteria that have built up in the pockets between your teeth and gums. This is crucial for treating gum disease and stopping it from getting worse.

Unlike regular cleanings that mainly focus on the surfaces of your teeth, root surface debridement is a more thorough process that targets the roots to promote healing and prevent further damage to your gums and supporting structures.

Post-treatment care and recovery tips

After having root surface debridement, it’s important to take good care of your mouth to make sure it heals well and stays healthy. Here are some simple tips to follow:

  1. Keep Your Mouth Clean: Make sure to brush your teeth gently twice a day and floss regularly after the procedure. This helps prevent infection and promotes healing.
  2. Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods: In the first few days after root surface debridement, try to avoid foods that are hard or sticky, as they might irritate the treated area. Choose soft foods that are easy to chew to prevent any discomfort.
  3. Use a Gentle Mouth Rinse: Your dentist might suggest a special mouth rinse to help with healing. Use it as directed to keep the treated area clean and free from bacteria.
  4. Keep Up with Follow-up Visits: It’s important to attend your follow-up appointments with your dentist. This allows them to check how well you’re healing and address any concerns or problems early on.
  5. Manage Any Discomfort: Some people might feel a bit uncomfortable or sensitive after root surface debridement. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease any discomfort. But if the pain persists or gets worse, it’s important to contact your dentist for further evaluation.
  6. Avoid Smoking: Smoking can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of complications after dental procedures. It’s best to avoid smoking or using tobacco products to help your mouth heal faster.

By following these tips consistently, you can support the healing process after root surface debridement and maintain optimal oral health. Remember to talk to your dentist for personalized advice and recommendations based on your specific dental needs.

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.