Scaling & Root Planing (SRP) with Perioscopy®

Advanced Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

The goal of periodontal treatment is simple: eliminate the bacterial infection beneath the gums, stop the progression of periodontal disease, and preserve your natural teeth whenever possible.

At Malloy Perio, our standard of care for initial periodontal therapy is Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) enhanced with Perioscopy®, an advanced dental endoscope that allows us to see deep beneath the gumline during treatment.

Unlike traditional "deep cleaning," Perioscopy allows us to visualize root surfaces directly rather than relying on feel alone, resulting in a more precise, thorough, and minimally invasive approach.

What Is Scaling and Root Planing?

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure performed to remove bacterial biofilm, plaque, calculus (tartar), and bacterial toxins from below the gumline.

As periodontal disease progresses, bacteria collect deep beneath the gums where toothbrushes and floss cannot reach. These bacteria trigger chronic inflammation that gradually destroys the bone and supporting tissues around the teeth.

Removing these bacterial deposits allows the gums to heal, inflammation to decrease, and the tissues to reattach as much as possible to the tooth surface.

What Makes Perioscopy Different?

Traditional scaling and root planing is performed primarily by touch.

While experienced clinicians develop an excellent sense of root anatomy, deposits hidden deep beneath the gums can still be difficult to identify.

Perioscopy changes that.

Using a miniature dental endoscope approximately the size of a periodontal probe, we can view the root surface on a high-definition monitor while performing treatment.

This allows us to identify and remove:

  • Calculus hidden beneath the gums

  • Residual bacterial deposits

  • Root irregularities

  • Cementum defects

  • Areas that would otherwise be difficult to detect without surgery

Instead of relying solely on feel, we are able to see exactly what we are treating.

Benefits of Perioscopy-Assisted Therapy

Compared with traditional scaling and root planing alone, Perioscopy offers several important advantages:

Greater Precision

Direct visualization allows more complete removal of calculus and bacterial deposits.

Minimally Invasive

Many areas that previously required surgical access can often be treated without incisions or sutures.

Better Patient Comfort

Treatment is performed under local anesthesia and generally results in less post-operative discomfort than surgical therapy.

Improved Healing

More complete removal of bacterial deposits creates a healthier environment for the gums to heal.

Earlier Disease Detection

Because the root surfaces are directly visualized, previously hidden areas of disease can often be identified and treated before they become more advanced.

Part of Our Comprehensive Treatment Philosophy

At Malloy Perio, Perioscopy-assisted scaling and root planing serves as the foundation of periodontal therapy.

Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease, it may be used:

  • As the primary treatment for localized or early to moderate periodontal disease

  • Prior to re-evaluation to determine your response to therapy

  • In conjunction with LANAP® Laser Therapy for moderate to advanced periodontal disease

  • During supportive periodontal maintenance to treat localized areas of recurrent inflammation

Because every patient responds differently, treatment recommendations are individualized based on your examination, radiographs, pocket depths, bone loss, and overall periodontal health.

What to Expect During Treatment

Treatment is typically completed one or two quadrants at a time using local anesthesia to ensure your comfort.

During the appointment we will:

  • Carefully evaluate the periodontal pockets

  • Remove bacterial plaque and calculus above and below the gums

  • Use Perioscopy to visualize root surfaces directly

  • Thoroughly debride infected root surfaces

  • Irrigate the treated areas

  • Provide individualized home care instructions

Most patients are able to return to normal daily activities immediately following treatment.

Healing After Treatment

Healing occurs gradually over the weeks following therapy as inflammation resolves and the gums tighten around the teeth.

Successful healing depends on:

  • Excellent home oral hygiene

  • Regular periodontal maintenance

  • Tobacco avoidance

  • Control of systemic conditions such as diabetes

  • Following your recommended maintenance schedule

A comprehensive periodontal re-evaluation is typically performed several weeks after treatment to measure healing and determine whether additional therapy is necessary.

Why We Believe in Perioscopy

At Malloy Perio, our philosophy is to provide the most conservative treatment capable of producing a predictable, long-term result.

Perioscopy allows us to treat many patients more thoroughly while avoiding surgery whenever appropriate. By combining advanced visualization with meticulous periodontal therapy, we can often achieve healthier gums with less discomfort and faster recovery.

When more advanced disease is present, Perioscopy also complements LANAP® Laser Therapy, helping us remove bacterial deposits before laser treatment and improving the overall effectiveness of therapy.

Whether your treatment involves Perioscopy alone or is combined with LANAP®, our goal remains the same: to eliminate infection, preserve your natural teeth whenever possible, and support your long-term oral and overall health.