When plaque and tartar collect below the gumline, a routine dental cleaning may not be enough to control the infection. Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical deep cleaning used to remove harmful buildup and help the gums begin healing around the teeth.
At TLC Escondido Dental, Dr. Jorge Reyes and Dr. Catalina Madrigal provide scaling and root planing in Escondido, California, for patients with periodontal disease. Our dentists will evaluate your gums, measure periodontal pockets and determine whether deep cleaning is appropriate for your needs.
What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical periodontal treatment that cleans areas above and below the gumline. It is commonly recommended when gum disease has caused deeper spaces, called periodontal pockets, to form around the teeth.
The treatment includes two primary steps:
- Scaling: Plaque, tartar and bacterial deposits are removed from the surfaces of the teeth and from beneath the gumline.
- Root planing: The tooth roots are carefully cleaned and smoothed to remove contaminated deposits and create a surface that supports gum healing.
The goal is to reduce bacteria and inflammation, improve gum health and help prevent additional damage to the tissues and bone supporting your teeth.
When Is Deep Cleaning Recommended?
Scaling and root planing is generally recommended for patients with periodontitis rather than simple surface-level plaque buildup. Signs that a deep cleaning may be needed include:
- Periodontal pockets around the teeth
- Tartar buildup below the gumline
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Gum recession
- Persistent bad breath
- Early signs of supporting bone loss
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Inflammation that does not improve with routine preventive care
Our dentists will diagnose the condition before recommending treatment. Gingivitis may often be managed with a professional cleaning and improved home care, while periodontitis usually requires treatment below the gumline.
How Is Gum Disease Evaluated?
Before recommending scaling and root planing, our team will perform a periodontal evaluation. This may include:
- Reviewing your dental and medical history
- Examining your gums for redness, swelling and recession
- Measuring the spaces between your teeth and gums
- Checking for bleeding during periodontal measurements
- Evaluating plaque and tartar buildup
- Checking for loose or shifting teeth
- Reviewing digital X-rays for signs of bone loss
- Assessing existing fillings, crowns and other restorations
These findings help our dentists determine the stage of gum disease and create a personalized treatment plan.
What to Expect During a Deep Cleaning
Preparing the Treatment Area
Local anesthetic may be used to numb the treatment area and help you remain comfortable. Our team will explain what to expect before treatment begins.
Removing Plaque and Tartar
Specialized dental instruments are used to remove hardened deposits from the tooth surfaces and from beneath the gumline.
Cleaning and Smoothing the Roots
The root surfaces are carefully cleaned and smoothed to reduce bacterial deposits and support the gum tissue as it heals.
Completing Treatment in Sections
Depending on the extent of gum disease, your mouth may be treated in sections over more than one appointment. This allows our team to clean each area thoroughly while maintaining your comfort.
Planning Follow-Up Care
After treatment, our dentists will recommend a follow-up appointment to evaluate healing, remeasure periodontal pockets and determine whether additional care is needed.
Does Scaling and Root Planing Hurt?
Local anesthetic is commonly available to reduce discomfort during treatment. You may feel pressure or vibration while the teeth and roots are being cleaned, but the treated area should remain numb when anesthetic is used.
Mild gum tenderness, sensitivity or minor bleeding may occur afterward. These effects are usually temporary, and our team will provide instructions to help you stay comfortable while your gums heal.
Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing may provide several oral health benefits, including:
- Removing plaque and tartar below the gumline
- Reducing harmful bacteria around the teeth
- Decreasing gum inflammation and bleeding
- Helping periodontal pockets become easier to maintain
- Supporting gum healing around the tooth roots
- Reducing persistent bad breath related to periodontal bacteria
- Helping protect supporting bone and soft tissue
- Reducing the risk of continued periodontal damage
- Supporting the long-term retention of natural teeth
Results depend on the severity of gum disease, your response to treatment and your commitment to recommended home care and maintenance visits.
What Happens After Scaling and Root Planing?
Following treatment, you may notice temporary sensitivity, tenderness or mild bleeding. Our team may recommend:
- Brushing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Cleaning between your teeth as directed
- Avoiding very hot, cold, hard or spicy foods temporarily
- Using a recommended mouth rinse
- Taking over-the-counter medication as directed
- Avoiding tobacco products
- Attending your scheduled follow-up visit
Contact our office if you experience worsening swelling, severe pain, prolonged bleeding or another unexpected concern.
How Long Does Gum Healing Take?
Initial tenderness may improve within several days, but deeper periodontal healing takes longer. At your follow-up appointment, our dentists will evaluate how the gums have responded and whether pocket depths and inflammation have improved.
Scaling and root planing can control periodontal infection, but it cannot regrow all tissue or bone already lost to advanced gum disease. Early treatment generally provides a better opportunity to protect the remaining support around your teeth.
Will I Need Additional Gum Disease Treatment?
Some patients respond well to scaling and root planing combined with improved home care. Others may need additional periodontal therapy depending on the severity of the disease and how the gums heal.
Additional recommendations may include:
- Periodontal maintenance visits
- More frequent professional cleanings
- Antimicrobial therapy when clinically appropriate
- Improved brushing and interdental cleaning techniques
- Evaluation of damaged or difficult-to-clean restorations
- Referral or coordinated advanced periodontal care when needed
Learn more about our periodontal services and gum disease treatment.
What Is Periodontal Maintenance?
After treatment for periodontitis, routine six-month cleanings may not provide enough support to control the condition. Periodontal maintenance is a specialized cleaning schedule designed for patients with a history of gum disease.
Maintenance visits may include:
- Cleaning above and below the gumline
- Monitoring periodontal pocket depths
- Checking for bleeding and inflammation
- Evaluating gum recession and tooth mobility
- Reviewing your home-care routine
- Identifying areas that may need additional treatment
The frequency of these visits depends on the severity of your condition, risk factors and response to treatment.
How to Maintain Results at Home
Daily oral hygiene is essential for controlling periodontal disease after a deep cleaning. To support your results:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss or use another recommended interdental cleaner every day
- Clean carefully along the gumline
- Use an antimicrobial rinse if recommended
- Avoid smoking and other tobacco products
- Manage diabetes with guidance from your medical provider
- Attend every recommended periodontal maintenance visit
- Contact our office if bleeding, swelling or bad breath returns
Our dentists and hygiene team can recommend tools and techniques based on the size of the spaces between your teeth and the condition of your gums.
Scaling and Root Planing FAQs
Is scaling and root planing the same as a deep cleaning?
Yes. Scaling and root planing is commonly called a deep cleaning because it removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and cleans the tooth roots.
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A routine cleaning primarily removes plaque and tartar from above and around the gumline. A deep cleaning treats buildup below the gumline in patients with periodontal disease.
How do I know if I need scaling and root planing?
Our dentists may recommend treatment if you have deeper periodontal pockets, tartar below the gumline, bleeding gums, inflammation or signs of supporting bone loss.
Does scaling and root planing hurt?
Local anesthetic may be used to numb the treatment area. Mild tenderness or sensitivity may occur after the procedure, but our team will provide aftercare instructions.
How long does scaling and root planing take?
Treatment time depends on the number of areas involved and the amount of buildup present. Your mouth may be treated in sections over one or more appointments.
Can scaling and root planing cure gum disease?
It can help control periodontal infection and inflammation, but periodontitis generally requires ongoing management. Regular periodontal maintenance and good home care remain important.
Will my gums grow back after a deep cleaning?
Inflamed gums may tighten around the teeth as they heal, but tissue and bone lost to advanced periodontal disease do not always grow back naturally.
Can teeth feel loose after scaling and root planing?
Teeth may temporarily feel different after hardened tartar is removed and inflammation begins to decrease. Persistent or worsening mobility should be evaluated by our dentists.
How often will I need periodontal maintenance after treatment?
The recommended frequency depends on your gum health, pocket depths and risk factors. Many patients with periodontitis need more frequent visits than patients receiving routine cleanings.
Does dental insurance cover scaling and root planing?
Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage when scaling and root planing is medically necessary, but benefits vary. Our team can help you review your coverage.
Are financial options available for deep cleaning treatment?
Financial options may be available to help make care more manageable. Visit our financial options page and membership plan page to learn more.
Schedule Scaling and Root Planing in Escondido, California
If you have bleeding gums, deep periodontal pockets or tartar below the gumline, scaling and root planing may help control the infection and protect your smile. Our dentists will evaluate your gum health and explain whether a deep cleaning is appropriate.
Contact TLC Escondido Dental or call 760-741-5775 today to schedule an evaluation for scaling and root planing in Escondido, California.