Making Your Smile Beautiful

Dentist Michael D. Doty, DDS is committed to helping your teeth and gums stay in good health. If you suffer from gum disease, Dr. Doty may recommend scaling and root planing to treat periodontal disease, stopping the condition before it becomes more severe. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning treatment that includes two main steps:

• Scaling: In scaling, we remove plaque and tartar (dental calculus) from the tooth surface to halt the progress of the disease.
• Root Planing: This step involves cleaning the roots of the teeth, smoothing the root to remove bacterial toxins.

While most scaling and root planing treatments can be completed comfortably without anesthetic, however Dr. Doty is happy to desensitize the area to help you relax during your treatment. The scaling and root planing treatment may be split up into several appointments, in which we treat one section of your mouth at each appointment.

Depending on your personal needs, scaling and root planing may be combined with other types of periodontal therapy, such as antibiotic treatment. During your visit to our office, Dr. Doty will discuss your specific needs and preferences to ensure that you receive the care you need. For more information about the benefits of scaling and root planing, and to learn more about the other types of treatment we offer for gum disease in Abingdon, Virginia, please contact our office.

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