Healthy gums and tooth
Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Advanced Periodontitis
Bacteria that leads to gum disease will not resolve on their own and the low-grade, chronic infection it causes has been linked to systemic complications including heart disease, diabetes, and other inflammatory diseases. Scaling and root planing for gum disease removes bacteria before it has a chance to spread through the bloodstream. Scaling removes the plaque and tartar from the tooth roots. Root planing smooths the teeth so that gums can reattach. This periodontal treatment for gum disease reduces the depth of the pockets around the teeth to discourage bacteria from returning in the future.