Non-surgical gum treatment is used to manage periodontal disease without surgical intervention. One of the most common treatments is scaling and root planing, sometimes referred to as a deep cleaning.
Unlike a routine cleaning, which focuses primarily on plaque and tartar above and around the gumline, scaling and root planing treats areas beneath the gums where periodontal pockets have developed. Bacterial deposits and hardened tartar are carefully removed from the tooth and root surfaces, creating a cleaner environment that allows the gum tissues to heal and fit more closely around the teeth.
A routine dental cleaning is designed to maintain a generally healthy mouth. When periodontal disease creates deeper spaces between the teeth and gums, bacteria and tartar can accumulate in areas that cannot be adequately cleaned with normal brushing, flossing, or a standard professional cleaning.
Non-surgical periodontal treatment may be recommended when we identify:
Periodontal measurements, examination findings, and dental imaging help us determine whether routine preventive care or periodontal treatment is appropriate.
Although both procedures remove plaque and tartar, they are performed for different reasons. Understanding the distinction can make it easier to understand why periodontal treatment may be recommended even if you have received regular cleanings in the past.
A preventive cleaning is intended to maintain healthy teeth and gums by removing plaque, tartar, and surface buildup before periodontal disease develops or progresses.
When periodontal pockets are present, deposits can extend deeper beneath the gums. Scaling allows these areas to be cleaned beyond what is typically addressed during routine preventive care.
Periodontal treatment includes careful cleaning of the tooth roots where bacteria and hardened deposits may accumulate beneath the gumline.
After treatment for periodontal disease, ongoing periodontal maintenance is typically needed to help manage the condition and reduce bacterial buildup in areas that remain susceptible.
Your gums may feel tender or sensitive following scaling and root planing, particularly as inflammation begins to improve. Temporary tooth sensitivity or minor bleeding can also occur. We’ll provide personalized instructions for cleaning your teeth and gums while the treated areas recover.
Successful periodontal care does not end with the deep cleaning itself. Consistent home care and regular periodontal maintenance are essential for controlling bacterial buildup and monitoring the long-term stability of your gums and supporting bone.
A routine cleaning is preventive care intended to maintain generally healthy gums. A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, treats periodontal disease by removing plaque, tartar, and bacterial deposits from deeper areas beneath the gumline and along the tooth roots.
The areas being treated can be numbed with local anesthesia when needed to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Some tenderness or sensitivity may occur afterward as the gums recover, but this generally improves with healing.
The number of appointments depends on how many areas require treatment and the extent of periodontal disease. Some patients can be treated in fewer visits, while others may have different sections of the mouth treated separately. We’ll explain your recommended treatment schedule before beginning.
After treatment for periodontal disease, patients are often placed on a periodontal maintenance schedule rather than returning immediately to routine preventive cleanings. These visits are designed to manage areas above and below the gumline, monitor periodontal pocketing, and help keep the disease stable over time.
