Expert: Debbie - 1/31/2005

Question
If someone had root planning and scaling and after two months one quadrant is still redish and somewhat swollen (like before the procedure) how can surgury cure it? Is it red because of plaque, bacteria or someting else inside the gums that the procedure could not remove? Are there any other ways to rid it besides surgery? What about laser? Thanks

Answer
Root planning helps to remove the calculus build up on the teeth - it doesn't remove or cure the pocket depths...  In areas that the pocket depths were 6mm or more - the root planning will help - but not fix the problem.  The surgery will actually reduce the pocket depth so that you can clean the area better.  Ask your dentist to draw you a picture of what they do in the surgery - we used to do this all the time - it really helps explain the bone level and repositioning the gum tissue to eleminate the pocket depths.  Laser is not an effective tool in dental work.

Hope this helps
Debbie