La Crosse
3143 State Road Suite 100, La Crosse, WI 54601
Why choose us
Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing
Healthier Gums
We clean below the gumline to remove the buildup that keeps gums inflamed and bleeding.
Care Close to Home
Gum care is available at our La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua offices, with no referral out of the Coulee Region.
No Judgment Here
However long it has been since your last visit, our team explains your options clearly and without judgment.
Comfort Built In
The Ascent Experience adds warm towelettes, blankets, headphones and essential oils to make your visit more relaxing.
Ongoing Gum Support
After treatment, periodontal maintenance visits with our hygienists help you keep your gums on track.
Maybe you've noticed a little pink in the sink when you brush, or your gums look puffier than they used to. Maybe your hygienist mentioned "pockets" at your last cleaning and you weren't sure what that meant. Situations like these are exactly why our team at Rivertown Dental offers scaling and root planing at our offices in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua. It is a deep cleaning that helps families across Wisconsin's Coulee Region get gum disease under control close to home.
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that reaches below the gumline, where a routine cleaning doesn't go. When plaque and hardened tartar collect beneath the gums, they can irritate the tissue and cause it to pull away from the teeth. That creates spaces, often called periodontal pockets, where bacteria can settle in and keep the irritation going.
Scaling and root planing works in two parts. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and from inside those pockets. Root planing smooths the root surfaces so the gums have a cleaner surface to heal against. Our hygienists and dentists often treat one area of the mouth at a time, which lets us work carefully and keeps each visit manageable.
This treatment is part of our broader gum disease treatment. It is often a next step when a regular dental cleaning isn't enough to address what we find during an exam. Patients usually come to us in one of a few ways:
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Gums that look red, swollen or tender
- Persistent bad breath that doesn't go away with brushing
- Pockets measured during an exam that are deeper than a healthy range
- Tartar buildup below the gumline that is visible on digital X-rays
Gum health can change at any age, so we see this need among working adults in La Crosse and Onalaska, retirees in Viroqua and Westby, and busy parents in Arcadia and Whitehall. Because we care for whole families, we can often spot early changes during routine visits and talk them through before they progress.
Will I be judged if it's been a long time since my last visit?
No, you won't be judged. Many people put off dental care for years, and we would much rather help you move forward than dwell on how long it has been. Our role is to explain what we see clearly and give you honest options.
Before recommending scaling and root planing, we start with a dental exam, gum measurements and X-rays so we understand what is happening. We walk you through the findings in plain language and answer your questions. If you feel anxious about treatment, let us know. We offer nitrous oxide sedation to help many patients relax, and IV sedation is available for adults. Our comfort approach is part of The Ascent Experience: advanced care, genuine comfort, and a better experience from start to finish. That includes small touches like a warm towelette, a blanket, a support pillow, headphones and essential oils.
What happens after scaling and root planing?
Most patients go back to their normal routine soon after their visit, though your gums may feel tender or sensitive for a short while as they heal. We will give you specific home-care instructions based on your treatment, and we encourage you to call our office if anything concerns you.
Healing depends a great deal on what happens next. Careful brushing and flossing at home matter, and so does follow-up care in our office. Many patients move on to periodontal maintenance, a type of cleaning scheduled at intervals we recommend for your situation, so we can keep a close eye on your gums over time. Because our hygienists and dentists work together under one roof, your care stays coordinated from your first deep cleaning through every check-in after.
How can I pay for scaling and root planing?
We work with many dental insurance plans, so please call your office to confirm how your coverage applies. We also welcome self-pay patients and are glad to go over your options before you begin treatment.
For patients without insurance, our Rivertown Membership Plans, also called the VIP Program, offer Classic, Deluxe and Kids plans. Each includes cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride, plus a discount on treatment. Membership plans cannot be combined with insurance. We also offer third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance, which may let qualified patients spread out the cost of care. Approval depends on each lender's terms, and our team is happy to explain how to apply.
If your gums have been sending signals, we'd love to help you take the next step. Call the Rivertown Dental office nearest you in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia or Viroqua to schedule an exam. We'll show you exactly what's going on and plan your care together. Dentistry, Done Differently.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Exam and Evaluation
We examine your gums, take digital X-rays and talk through what we find in plain language.
- 2
Deep Cleaning Treatment
Our team removes buildup below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces so gums can heal.
- 3
Periodontal Maintenance
We schedule follow-up maintenance visits to monitor your gums and help protect your results.
Questions
Scaling and Root Planing FAQs
Does insurance cover scaling and root planing at Rivertown Dental?
Many dental insurance plans include some coverage for gum disease treatment, and we work with many of them across our La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua offices. Please call the office closest to you to confirm how your plan applies. If you don't have insurance, ask us about our Rivertown Membership Plans (the VIP Program) or third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit or Proceed Finance, which is available to those who qualify.
Does scaling and root planing hurt?
Most patients find the treatment very manageable, and we focus on keeping you comfortable throughout. Through the Ascent Experience, you can relax with a warm towelette, blanket, support pillow, headphones and essential oils, and we also offer nitrous oxide sedation. Before we begin, we will explain each step and talk with you about the comfort options that fit you best.
How long does scaling and root planing take?
The time it takes depends on how much buildup is below your gumline and how many areas of your mouth need care. After we examine your gums, we will give you a clear plan for what to expect, including whether your treatment may be completed over more than one visit.
How long do the results of scaling and root planing last?
How long your results last depends largely on the care your gums receive afterward, both at home and in our office. Many patients continue with periodontal maintenance visits with our hygiene team to help keep their gums on track. We will recommend a schedule based on how your gums respond, and we will never judge you for how long it has been since your last visit.
How do I know if I need scaling and root planing instead of a regular cleaning?
Scaling and root planing is usually recommended when a dental exam shows signs of gum disease that a routine cleaning cannot fully address. Our dentists and hygienists at each of our Coulee Region offices will check your gums, explain what we find in plain language, and walk you through your options. If a regular dental cleaning is the better fit for you, we will tell you that too.