Endodontist - Chapel Hill
Alessandra L.S. Ritter, DDS, MS
501 Eastowne Drive
Suite 155
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-403-5000 (phone)
919-403-5001 (fax)
Scaling and Root Planing
Ritter Endodontics strives to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating root canals and associated conditions. However, you can use our website's dental library to learn more about not only endodontics but also many other dental problems and treatments available. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us.
Some cases of acute periodontal (gum) disease that do not respond to more conventional treatment and self-care such as flossing may require a special kind of cleaning called scaling and root planing.
The procedure begins with administration of a local anesthetic to reduce any discomfort. Then, a small instrument called a "scaler," or an ultrasonic cleaner, is used to clean beneath your gum line to remove plaque and tartar.
The root surfaces on the tooth are then planed and smoothed. This lets the gum tissue heal and reattach itself to the tooth.