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Ronald Watkins, DDS, MS has created this informative blog to help educate the community.

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What You Get from Scaling and Root Planing

Posted on 8/3/2026 by Implant and Periodontal Wellness Center of Arizona

Taking care of your mouth is super important for your overall health. Beyond just brushing and flossing, sometimes your gums need a little extra help to stay healthy. One way we do this is with a special cleaning called scaling and root planing. Let's break down what this treatment is all about and what you can expect from it. What is Scaling and Root Planing? Think of scaling and root planing as a deep cleaning for your teeth and gums. Over time, plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) can build up, especially below the gum line. This buildup can irritate your gums and lead to gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Why is it Important? Gum disease is a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. It's also linked to other health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. Scaling and root planing helps to: What to Expect During and After the Procedure Typically, scaling and root planing is performed with local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. We will numb the area being treated so you won't feel any pain. The procedure may take one or more appointments, depending on the extent of the gum disease. After the treatment, you may experience some mild soreness, swelling, or sensitivity. These symptoms are usually temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. We will also provide you with specific instructions for oral care at home, which may include using a special mouthwash or toothbrush. Long-Term Benefits The benefits of scaling and root planing extend far beyond just a cleaner mouth. By maintaining healthy gums, you're investing in your long-term oral health and overall well-being. This treatment can help: Scaling and root planing is a valuable tool in the fight against gum disease. It's an investment in your oral health that can pay off in the long run with a healthier smile and a healthier you. Remember to continue with your regular oral care routine at home and schedule regular check-ups to maintain the benefits of this treatment....
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How Are Receding Gums Treated?

Posted on 7/15/2026 by Implant and Periodontal Wellness Center of Arizona

Have you noticed your teeth looking longer lately? Maybe they feel more sensitive to hot or cold? These could be signs of receding gums, a common issue that can affect your oral health. Gum recession happens when the gum tissue that surrounds your teeth pulls back, exposing more of the tooth and even the root. This isn't just a cosmetic concern; it can lead to more serious problems if left untreated. Let's explore what causes receding gums and what options are available to address it. Understanding Receding Gums Several factors can contribute to receding gums. One of the most common is periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. This infection damages the gums and the bone that holds your teeth in place. Poor oral care habits, like infrequent brushing and flossing, can increase your risk of developing gum disease. Aggressive brushing can also wear away your gums over time. Think of it like scrubbing a delicate fabric too hard – eventually, it will start to fray. Using a toothbrush with hard bristles or applying too much pressure while brushing can irritate and damage the gum tissue. Other factors include genetics. Some people are simply more prone to gum recession due to their inherited traits. Hormonal changes, particularly in women during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can also make gums more sensitive and susceptible to recession. Tobacco use, whether smoking or chewing, is a major culprit as well. It reduces blood supply to the gums, making them more vulnerable to infection and recession. Finally, teeth grinding or clenching, known as bruxism, can put excessive force on your teeth and gums, leading to recession. Treatment Options for Receding Gums The goal of treating receding gums is to stop the recession from progressing, repair the damaged tissue, and protect the exposed tooth roots. The best treatment approach depends on the severity of the recession and the underlying cause. In mild cases, improving your oral care routine may be enough. This includes brushing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing daily, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash. Your dentist might also recommend professional cleanings more frequently to remove plaque and tartar buildup that contribute to gum disease. If gum disease is the primary cause, the focus will be on treating the infection. This may involve scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and smooths the tooth roots to prevent further buildup. Antibiotics might also be prescribed to control the infection. For more severe cases of gum recession, surgical procedures may be necessary. Gum grafting is a common procedure where tissue is taken from another area of your mouth (usually the palate) or a donor source and attached to the receded area. This helps to cover the exposed tooth root, protect it from further damage, and improve the appearance of your smile. In some situations,...
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Can Restoration Efforts Be Combined?

Posted on 7/1/2026 by Implant and Periodontal Wellness Center of Arizona

Taking care of your mouth can sometimes feel like a juggling act. You might have a few different dental issues going on at once. Perhaps you need to address gum health and fix a damaged tooth. It's natural to wonder if all these treatments can be tackled at the same time, or if they need to be done separately. Let's explore whether restoration efforts can be combined. Understanding Dental Restoration Dental restoration refers to any procedure that aims to bring back the function, integrity, or form of a tooth. This can involve fixing a cavity with a filling, repairing a chipped tooth with a crown, or even replacing a missing tooth with an implant. When we talk about combining restoration efforts, we're essentially asking if it's possible to address multiple dental problems in a single treatment plan. The Possibility of Combining Treatments The answer is, quite often, yes! Many dental treatments can be combined, and in some cases, it's actually the preferred approach. The ability to combine restoration efforts depends on a few key factors, including the nature and severity of the dental issues, your overall health, and your dentist's expertise. For example, someone with mild gum disease (gingivitis) and a small cavity might have both issues addressed in a single appointment. The dentist could clean the teeth to remove plaque and tartar, then fill the cavity. This is a relatively straightforward combination. However, if the gum disease is more advanced (periodontitis) and the tooth damage is significant, the treatment plan might need to be staged. Addressing the gum disease is often the first priority, as healthy gums are crucial for supporting any subsequent restorative work, like crowns or bridges. Situations Where Combining is Beneficial There are situations where combining treatments offers distinct advantages. For example, placing a dental implant often involves bone grafting to ensure there's enough bone to support the implant. These two procedures are frequently done at the same time. This approach minimizes the number of surgical procedures and the overall healing time. Another example is when a patient needs multiple fillings or crowns. Your dentist might be able to complete several of these restorations in one or two longer appointments, rather than spreading them out over many visits. This can save you time and reduce the disruption to your daily life. Why Staging Treatments Might Be Necessary Sometimes, separating treatments into different stages is the best approach. This is often the case when dealing with complex issues like severe gum disease or extensive tooth decay. Getting the gums healthy first ensures a solid foundation for future restorations. It's like building a house – you need a strong foundation before you can put up the walls. In some situations, infection control is a priority. An infected tooth or gums can compromise the success of other dental procedures. Addressing the...
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All Posts:

What You Get from Scaling and Root Planing
8/3/2026
How Are Receding Gums Treated?
7/15/2026
Can Restoration Efforts Be Combined?
7/1/2026
What Are the Benefits of All-on-4 Implants?
6/15/2026
Gingival Enlargement - What You Need to Know
6/1/2026
The Top Reasons You Have Sensitive Teeth
5/15/2026
The Pros and Cons of Tooth Reshaping
5/1/2026
Link Between High Cholesterol and Gum Disease Found
4/15/2026
Gum Health Goes Downhill When You Drink Alcohol
4/1/2026
Why You Need Professional Help For Gum Disease
3/16/2026
The Myths about Bone Loss
3/2/2026
Does Mouthwash Make Gum Disease Treatment Easier?
2/16/2026
If Gum Disease Doesn't Hurt, How Do You Know When to Start Being Concerned?
2/2/2026
Are X-Rays Useful in Finding Periodontal Issues?
1/15/2026
The Simple Ways to Ensure a Healthy Mouth
1/1/2026
Dentures and Bone Loss - What You Need to Know
12/15/2025
Is Alcohol-Based Mouthwash Best for Gum Disease Patients?
12/1/2025
How a Tooth's Root Gets Exposed - Causes and Solutions
11/15/2025
Enjoy a Quick Recovery after Gum Grafting
11/3/2025
What Can Dental Implants Do for You?
10/15/2025
How Young is Too Young for Dental Implants?
10/1/2025
Is Tooth Sensitivity a Sign of Gum Disease?
9/15/2025
Using an Intra-Oral Camera in Periodontics
9/1/2025
Important Gum Disease Facts
8/15/2025
Signs of Periodontitis You Don't Want to Ignore
8/1/2025
Does Mouthwash Make Gum Disease Treatment Easier?
7/15/2025
What Imperfections Cannot Be Fixed with Veneers?
7/1/2025
Replacing Missing Teeth - The Impact of Dentures on Your Gums
6/16/2025
Pregnancy Related Gum Disease - What You Need to Know
6/2/2025
Should Coconut Oil Be Part of Your Regular Oral Hygiene Routine?
5/15/2025
What You Need to Know About Reversing Gum Disease
5/1/2025
Water's Role in Treating Gum Disease
4/15/2025
What is Causing Your Gums to Recede?
4/1/2025
Recovering from a Gum Graft
3/15/2025
What to Do When You Notice Your Gums Bleeding
3/3/2025
Dentures and Tmj - What You Need to Know
2/15/2025
Are Athletes at a Heightened Risk for Developing Gum Disease?
2/3/2025
Top Foods That Damage Your Teeth
1/15/2025
What Alcohol Does to Your Gums
1/1/2025
What Untreated Gum Disease Can Do To Your Lungs
12/16/2024
Alcohol Might Be Responsible for Your Receding Gums
12/2/2024
The General Progression of Gum Disease
11/15/2024
Does Where You Live Affect Your Quality of Oral Health?
11/1/2024
Gum Disease Can Make You More Forgetful
10/15/2024
Does Drinking Alcohol Increase Gum Disease Problems?
10/1/2024
The Role of Saliva in Oral Health
9/16/2024
The Role of Green Tea in Gum Health
9/2/2024
Signs You May Need Pocket Reduction Surgery
8/15/2024
Protect Your Tooth Roots with Gum Grafting
8/1/2024
What Is Dental Smart Bone Grafting and Why Do You Need It?
7/15/2024
What if My Child Has Already Started Experiencing Dental Resorption?
7/1/2024
Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis
6/15/2024
Debunking Myths About Gum Disease
6/3/2024
How Gum Health Impacts Your Cardiovascular Health
5/15/2024
How Does Periodontitis Cause Tooth Loss
5/1/2024
The Four Stages of Periodontal Disease
4/15/2024
Risk Factors of Gum Disease
4/1/2024
The Impact of Periodontitis on Oral Health and Overall Quality of Life
3/15/2024
Smoking and Its Effects on Periodontal Health
3/1/2024
Teeth gaps and Sensitivity
2/15/2024
Risk Factors for Gum Diseases
2/2/2024
Periodontal Diseases And Pregnancy
1/15/2024
Is Pocket Reduction Surgery Worth It?
1/2/2024
What Is A Bone Graft? Why Do I Need One?
12/15/2023
My Gums Hurt When I Brush My Teeth, What Does This Mean
12/1/2023
The Significance Of Nitrous Oxide In Dentistry
11/15/2023
An Overview Of Cleft Lip And Cleft Palate Repair Surgery
11/1/2023
What Is A Porcelain Crown?
10/31/2023
How to Cut the Risk of Dental Implant Failure before Getting Implants
10/15/2023
What to Expect from the First Visit to the Periodontist
9/25/2023
Oil pulling and its essence in dental care
9/11/2023
The Role of Nutrition in maintaining healthy gums
8/21/2023
Treatment Options for Loose Teeth Due to Gum Disease
8/7/2023
What Are My Options For Replacing Teeth?
7/24/2023
The Connection between Gum Disease and Kidney Disease
7/10/2023
Pros and Cons of Mini Implants
6/19/2023
The Vital Role of Dental Hygienists in Dental Care
6/5/2023
What Is Periodontal Maintenance And When Do You Need It?
5/22/2023
Do Cold Sores Affect Your Oral Health?
5/8/2023
What To Do When You Have Gum Inflammation?
4/24/2023
Periodontist and Dentist
4/10/2023
How Can I Save My Teeth?
3/20/2023
Is a Bone Graft Essential Before Receiving Dental Implants
2/20/2023
The Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis
2/6/2023
Aftercare Tips For Periodontal Disease Treatment
1/23/2023
Do Extractions Eliminate Gum Disease?
1/9/2023
What Stages of Gum Disease Can be Cured?
12/19/2022
Taking Care of Your Implants
12/5/2022
What Happens If Periodontal Disease Isnt Treated?
11/21/2022
Why Is Dry Mouth A Problem For My Teeth And Gums?
11/7/2022
Risks Involved with Periodontist Treatments
10/24/2022
Why is sedation dentistry needed?
10/10/2022
Treatment Options for Periodontitis
9/19/2022
Gingivitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
9/5/2022
Periodontal diseases.
8/22/2022
What Causes Gum Disease
8/8/2022
Here are ways to maintain healthy gums
7/18/2022
Always ask these 3 questions when going to a new dentist
7/4/2022
Can Gum Disease Affect Infants
6/20/2022
When Do You Need Gum Rejuvenation
6/6/2022
Is Flossing Too Difficult? Try a Water Flosser
5/23/2022
Frequently asked questions about periodontology
5/9/2022
What is Sedation Dentistry?
4/25/2022
Tips for a Cleaner and Healthier Gums and Teeth
4/11/2022
Oral or IV Sedation: Which One is Right for You?
3/21/2022
Here are things every person with dentures needs to know
3/7/2022
Dental Implants Placement And Age Limits
2/21/2022
Brush or Floss First: Here is What You Need to Know
2/7/2022
Tooth Replacement Options Using Dental Implants
1/24/2022
The Hidden Link Between Dum Disease and Alzheimers
1/10/2022
Can Hormonal Imbalance Cause Oral Health Problems?
12/23/2021
What is Peri-Implant Disease?
12/10/2021
Four Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Gum Surgery
11/22/2021
The Most Common Early Signs of Gum Disease
11/8/2021
What Is the Difference Between Dentures and Dental Implants?
10/25/2021
5 Benefits of Consulting a Prosthodontist
10/11/2021
It Is Possible to Ease the Symptoms of Diabetes with Gum Disease Treatment
9/21/2021
Types of Services We Can Offer
9/6/2021
How Does the Root of Your Tooth Become Exposed?
8/23/2021
When May You Need a Perioscopy?
8/9/2021
How Aggressive Flossing Could Lead To Gum Damage
7/26/2021
Foods That You Can Eat as Snacks To Help Clean Your Teeth
7/12/2021
How Gums Change as You Get Older
6/21/2021
Understanding Denture Stomatitis and What It Means
6/7/2021
Signs the Pain You Feel Could Be a Dental Abscess
5/24/2021
Alcohol Leaves a Lasting Impact on Your Gums When Consumed Regularly
5/10/2021
Preparing for Your First Visit to a Periodontist
4/26/2021
How To Reverse Periodontitis
4/12/2021
4 Things You Can Do to Avoid Damage From Gum Recession
3/22/2021
Why Smile Makeover Is Needed for Senior Citizens?
3/8/2021
What is Periodontal Disease?
2/22/2021
How Do You Develop Plaque?
2/8/2021
What is Trench Mouth and How Is It Treated?
1/25/2021
Brushing Too Aggressive Can Cause Damage to Your Gums
1/11/2021
How Can We Tell When Gums Require Grafts?
12/21/2020
Lasers Make Treating Gum Trouble Easier
12/7/2020
Are Gum Pockets a Problem?
11/16/2020
Why Do So Many Athletes Have Gum Disease?
11/9/2020
Is Your Oral Health Connected to the Health of Your Prostate?
10/19/2020
Dry Mouth Can Increase Gum Disease Problems
10/5/2020
How Same-Day Dentures Work
9/21/2020
What Options Do You Have with Periodontal Plastic Surgery?
9/7/2020
Can Your Regular Dentist Treat Your Gum Disease?
8/24/2020
Ways of Treating Gums that Do Not Stay Tight Against Your Teeth
8/10/2020
Can You Eat Right After a Gum Graft?
7/23/2020
People of All Ages Need to Be Aware of Their Gum Health
7/7/2020
What to Do to Improve the Health of Your Gums
6/22/2020
What is the Diagnosis Process for Gum Disease?
6/8/2020

About Dr. Watkins

With specialty training in both implants and esthetics, Dr. Watkins offers a unique and unparalleled perspective on the field of implant reconstructive dentistry to Phoenix-area residents and has done so for the past 15 years.

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Office Hours

Monday	8–5
Tuesday	8–5
Wednesday	7–4
Thursday	8–5
Friday	8–12

Closed for Lunch	12–1

Contact Us

4455 E. Camelback Road
Suite #E-100
Phoenix, AZ 85018

(480) 504-0506

Implant and Periodontal Wellness Center of Arizona, 4455 E. Camelback Rd #E-100, Phoenix, AZ 85018 + (480) 504-0506 + azimplantsolutions.com + 8/11/2026 + Tags: Periodontist Phoenix AZ +