What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning, is a non surgical periodontal therapy that removes bacterial plaque, tartar, and toxins from below the gum line and smooths the root surfaces so the gums can heal and reattach to the teeth. It is the foundation of gum disease treatment and the first line of defense against periodontitis.
We recommend scaling and root planing when a regular cleaning is no longer enough to control gum disease, when periodontal pockets have formed, or when bleeding, inflammation, and bone loss are present. It is the most effective non surgical treatment for early to moderate periodontitis and a key step in stabilizing more advanced cases.
Patients typically come to us for scaling and root planing when their general dentist refers them for specialist care, when they have been diagnosed with gum disease, or when they want a holistic, biologically minded approach that addresses the root cause of their inflammation, not just the symptoms.
Benefits, Why MD Periodontics
- Stops gum disease in its tracks, removing the bacteria and toxins driving the disease, allowing the gums to heal and the infection to resolve
- Often reverses early disease, gingivitis, and early periodontitis frequently respond fully to deep cleaning, avoiding the need for surgery
- Reduces pocket depths, periodontal pockets shrink as inflammation resolves, and tissue reattaches to the root surface
- Eliminates bad breath; the bacteria and infected tissue that cause persistent bad breath are removed at the source
- Whole body health protection, gum disease is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic inflammation, and deep cleaning is one of the highest impact wellness investments you can make
- Specialist precision with advanced tools, we use ultrasonic instruments, hand instruments, and, when indicated, laser-assisted therapy to maximize results
- Beverly Hills specialist expertise, Dr. Moshrefi has decades of experience treating gum disease at every stage, and Dr. Daneshmand brings USC-trained precision and a holistic philosophy to every plan we design together
Who Is a Candidate?
Most patients showing signs of gum disease, periodontal pockets, or bone loss are candidates for scaling and root planing. The right approach depends on your stage of disease, your budget, and your overall health, which we evaluate carefully.
You may be an ideal candidate if you:
- Have bleeding, red, or swollen gums
- Have periodontal pockets of 4 millimeters or deeper
- Have visible tartar buildup below the gum line
- Have persistent bad breath that does not respond to brushing
- Have gum recession or teeth that appear longer than before
- Have been diagnosed with gingivitis or early to moderate periodontitis
- Have a history of gum disease and want to prevent recurrence
- Have diabetes, heart disease, or another condition linked to chronic inflammation
Patients with very advanced periodontitis, complex anatomy, or specific medical conditions may benefit from additional therapy, including laser treatment, antimicrobial therapy, or surgical care, which we discuss openly during your consultation.
The Process
- Comprehensive Evaluation. We begin with a thorough exam, full medical history review, periodontal probing to measure pocket depths at every tooth, and imaging when needed. This tells us exactly where the disease is active and how deep it has reached.
- Personalized Treatment Plan. Together, we map out your case, including how many visits the deep cleaning will require, whether laser or antimicrobial therapy will be added, and how your home care will support healing. We clearly review the timeline, comfort options, and expected results.
- The Deep Cleaning. Using ultrasonic instruments and precision hand instruments, we remove plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins from below the gum line and smooth the root surfaces. Treatment is typically completed in one or two visits under local anesthesia for full comfort.
- Healing and Tissue Reattachment. Your gums heal over 4 to 6 weeks as inflammation resolves and the tissue reattaches to the cleaned root surfaces. Pocket depths shrink, bleeding stops, and the disease’s foundation is broken.
- Re-evaluation and Long-term Maintenance. We reevaluate 4 to 8 weeks after treatment to confirm pockets have shrunk and the disease has resolved. From there, we design a personalized periodontal maintenance schedule, typically every 3 to 4 months, to protect your results long term.
Recovery and What to Expect
Most patients return to normal activities the same day. Mild gum tenderness and minor sensitivity for a few days are common and typically respond well to over-the-counter pain relievers and a soft-food diet. There is no surgical recovery period.
Aftercare basics:
- Stick to soft, mild foods for 24 to 48 hours
- Resume gentle brushing and flossing the same day, focusing on plaque control
- Rinse with warm salt water or prescribed antimicrobial rinse as we direct
- Expect some short-term sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet, which typically resolves within 1 to 2 weeks
- Avoid spicy, acidic, or very hot foods if your gums feel tender
- Avoid smoking, which dramatically reduces healing
- Stay hydrated and focus on anti-inflammatory nutrition during healing
- Keep your follow-up appointment so we can confirm results
Call our office if you experience heavy bleeding that does not slow within an hour, severe pain not relieved by medication, fever over 101°F, drainage from the gums, or symptoms that worsen rather than improve after the first few days.
FAQ
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients feel essentially nothing during treatment. Mild gum tenderness for a few days afterward is common and easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients feel essentially nothing during treatment. Mild gum tenderness for a few days afterward is common and easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
A regular cleaning, or prophylaxis, removes plaque and tartar above and just below the gum line on healthy gums. Scaling and root planing reach much deeper, cleaning the root surfaces inside periodontal pockets and treating active disease. Once gum disease has developed, regular cleanings are no longer sufficient.
Most dental insurance plans offer partial coverage for scaling and root planing when there is documented periodontal disease. Coverage details vary widely. Our team verifies your benefits and explains your out-of-pocket costs clearly before treatment begins.
Most cases are completed in one or two visits, depending on the severity of the disease and the number of areas of the mouth affected. Treating one half of the mouth at each visit is a common approach.
Often no. Early-to-moderate disease frequently resolves with nonsurgical therapy alone. More advanced cases may benefit from additional treatment after deep cleaning, including laser therapy, regenerative procedures, or pocket reduction surgery, which we discuss only when truly needed.
Most patients notice less bleeding and reduced inflammation within 1 to 2 weeks. Full tissue reattachment and pocket reduction occur over 4 to 6 weeks. We re-evaluate the result before recommending any next steps.
Many dental insurance plans offer partial coverage for gum grafting, especially when it is medically necessary to protect tooth roots and bone. Coverage for purely cosmetic cases is less common. Our team verifies your benefits and explains your out-of-pocket costs clearly before treatment begins.
Periodontists are the dental specialists trained specifically in gum disease and the supporting structures of teeth. We bring deeper diagnostic precision, advanced instrumentation, often including laser therapy, and the experience to handle complex or recurrent cases that general practices may refer.
Scaling and root planing stop the disease that causes bone loss and allow the body to heal, but they do not regrow bone on their own. When significant bone loss is present, regenerative procedures can rebuild bone after the infection is controlled, which we discuss when indicated.
Most patients with treated gum disease move to a personalized periodontal maintenance schedule every 3 to 4 months. Maintenance visits include targeted cleaning at any areas still showing inflammation, helping prevent recurrence and protect long-term results.
Yes. Gum disease is strongly linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, pregnancy complications, and other chronic conditions. Removing the chronic infection in your gums reduces inflammation throughout the body and supports overall wellness.
Some cases need more than non-surgical therapy. We may add laser-assisted treatment, locally delivered antimicrobials, regenerative grafting, or pocket reduction surgery. Every step is taken only when truly necessary, and we explain the reasoning openly.
Yes. Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective biologically minded therapies we offer, removing the chronic source of infection and inflammation, often without antibiotics, and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal. We pair it with bacterial DNA testing, nutrition guidance, and whole-person wellness planning when appropriate.
