"Subgingival scaling or lithotripsy:
Optimal periodontal treatment
Often seen by patients as “subgingival scaling”, lithotripsy is a gentle sonic method for removing subgingival tartar calculi accumulated beneath the gums as part of periodontal treatment.
Studio Paro in Lyon answers your questions about this innovative, pain-free method of deep cleaning periodontal pockets without the need for dental surgery.
What is lithotripsy?
Lithotripsy is used to treat periodontitis. It is a painless sonic method, requiring no local anaesthetic.
Dentists use an insert that vibrates at the speed of sound to “explode” calculus that has formed below the gum line in periodontal pockets, which can be defined as pockets of bacteria attacking the tooth’s support system (gum, jawbone and ligament). Magnifying loupes (x4.5) and a translumination lamp are also used to see the tartar covering the tooth, so as to better distinguish it from the tooth itself.
This is the same method used to remove kidney stones, but applied to the gums.
What are the advantages of lithotripsy for periodontal treatment?
Dental lithotripsy is a gentle, tissue-friendly method. In particular, it has the advantage of not damaging the cementum, which is essential to the periodontium for complete healing. Indeed, if it is damaged, refractory pockets will form.
The other major advantage is that this technique is minimally invasive and painless, and does not require (except in exceptional cases, of the order of less than 10%) the use of microsurgery.
However, contrary to what many people may think, lithotripsy is not scaling.
Scaling is the act of removing tartar from on and between the teeth (above the gums), but beyond this detail, the method is completely different.
Scaling does not cure periodontitis.
As bacteria enter the general circulation, the level of bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) rises. High levels of bacteremia can lead to local or systemic infections, away from the periodontium, and cause or aggravate existing diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
When it comes to periodontal care, scaling is a bit like sweeping the problem under the carpet: you can’t see it anymore, but the problem gets worse and the lack of attachment increases if you rely on this single method.
Lithotripsy is the method of choice for deep disinfection of periodontal pockets, which can then heal.
Are lithotripsy sessions reimbursed by Social Security?
Unfortunately, despite their importance to periodontal health, lithotripsy sessions are not covered by the French Social Security system. They are therefore not reimbursed, with the exception of 450 euros every 4 years for diabetic patients benefiting from ALD (Affection Longue Durée).
However, some mutual insurance companies offer a flat-rate package.
Finally, the periodontal check-up is partly reimbursed by the French Social Security system, as are a few euros for follow-up check-ups.
Studio Paro can offer you a personalized timetable to facilitate your access to care.
Would you like more information about periodontal treatment at Studio Paro?
Our Lyon Part-Dieu office is at your service