Is Scaling and Root Planing a good idea for my 90 year old Nursing home resident!

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The procedure is much less invasive than it used to be, assuming that they use the newer water jet technique rather than metal tools. I wouldn't worry about that so much. The real question here is what purpose would be served by the scaling and planing.

In younger patients, the idea is to improve gum health in order to preserve the patient's teeth. If your mother is healthy and still eating normal, solid foods, she might live another 10 years, in which case it is *possibly* a good idea to take these steps to save her teeth. But she won't lose her teeth immediately anyway, so how many additional years are you adding to her teeth?

If I were you, I would bring her doctor into the discussion. What is her prognosis overall? If she has many years left, then go for it. If her realistic lifespan is only a couple of years, then I don't see the point of all this dentistry.

Good luck, and I hope this helps.

There is a risk that root planing will send bacteria into her blood stream. At the very least she should be on prophylactic antibiotics if she elects for the procedure. Call her regular doctor and get his or her advice. This is a major dental procedure.

Her caregivers need to step in and handle her oral hygiene if she is incapable.

Used to work for a dentist.

Why bother? This is a complex, long procedure.