Tooth Scaling & Root Planing: Deep

Periodontal disease usually doesn鈥檛 cause pain. Your dentist may diagnose you with periodontitis during a dental check-up. You may also get dental X-rays to look for problems like cavities, an abscessed tooth (tooth infection) and bone loss. If you have periodontitis, your provider will discuss treatment options with you. Tooth scaling and root planing will take place during a future appointment.

This deep dental cleaning goes below your gum line to completely remove tartar from each of your teeth, including their roots. To minimize any discomfort or pain, your provider numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic. You鈥檙e awake for the procedures.

Your provider uses a vibrating tool called an ultrasonic scaler to perform the scaling process. These steps may take place during tooth scaling:

Root planing is like tooth scaling except it takes place on the roots of your teeth that sit below your gum line.

During root planing, your provider:

Bacteria and plaque are less likely to stick to the smooth surfaces of your treated teeth. Inflammation decreases as your gums heal. Your healthy gums can reattach more firmly to the smoothed tooth roots.

During follow-up appointments, your provider will measure the pockets surrounding your gum tissue. If the pockets haven鈥檛 decreased, you may need periodontal surgery. Surgical treatments for periodontitis include:

The total number of dental appointments you need for scaling and planing depends on the severity of your condition and your provider鈥檚 preference. Some providers treat one side of the mouth (both upper and lower teeth) in one visit. You鈥檒l need a second visit to treat the other side of your mouth.

Some providers treat each mouth quadrant separately instead. For instance, they scale and plane only the lower right side of your mouth. At your next appointment, they may treat the upper right side of your mouth. With this treatment approach, you鈥檒l need four appointments.