Scaling and root planing is one of the most common and effective treatments for gum disease and is often recommend by our periodontists as an initial treatment. It is a nonsurgical, deep cleaning treatment that includes two main steps:

• Scaling: In scaling, we remove plaque and tartar (dental calculus) from the tooth surface.
• Root Planing: This step involves cleaning the roots of the teeth, smoothing them to remove bacterial toxins.

The goals of scaling and root planing are to remove bacteria, plaque and tartar, and to halt the progress of gum disease. Local anesthetic is used for your comfort. The scaling and root planing treatment may be split up into two appointments, in which we treat one half of the mouth at each appointment.

Scaling and root planing may be combined with other types of periodontal therapy, such as antibiotic treatment. For some patients, scaling and root planing is enough to prevent periodontal disease from progressing further. For more information about the benefits of scaling and root planing, and to learn more about the other types of periodontal treatment we offer, please do not hesitate to contact our office.