Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planning, also called “deep cleaning”, is a non-surgical periodontal therapy aimed at removing bacterial plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces. This procedure targets areas below the gum line and is often done with local anesthetic to allow for better patient comfort and effectiveness of treatment. The goal of this process is to reduce levels of inflammation, bleeding, and reduce periodontal pockets. The success of this care is dependent on the patient’s ability to continue effective homecare and follow up maintenance appointments. With more advanced cases of periodontitis, scaling and root planing is often the first step prior to surgical periodontal care.