Scaling and root planing is a technique used in dentistry to treat gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. When dental plaque builds up along the gum line, it forms a hardened substance called tartar, or calculus. This buildup can damage the periodontium, or the support structures of the gums and other tissues that surround the teeth. The dentist uses various instruments to remove this hardened plaque from below the gum line, allowing the gums to protect the tooth roots properly. Root planing also smooths the surfaces of the tooth so that plaque is less likely to adhere.
Another term used to refer to the process of scaling and root planing is "deep cleaning." Both hand scalers and special ultrasonic instruments are used to remove plaque, calculus and stains from all surfaces of the teeth. Local anesthesia, administered as a localized gel or an injection, might be employed to reduce the patient's discomfort. During root planing, plaque and calculus are removed from below the gum line, often from pockets that have formed because the gum has pulled away from the tooth root. These pockets allow bacteria and plaque to collect below the gum line, often resulting in damage to the tooth root and its support structures.
Considered a conventional periodontal therapy, scaling and root planing is particularly effective for mild gum disease such as gingivitis. In cases where gum disease has not become serious, it can be all that is necessary to correct the condition. This treatment eliminates existing pockets around the teeth, removing both the plaque that has built up there and the pocket where new plaque buildup can occur. If gum disease has progressed farther, however, scaling and root planing might need to be followed by periodontal surgery, in which gum tissue must be removed to expose root tissue that has been compromised by plaque buildup.
To avoid the necessity of scaling and root planing, one should brush twice a day and floss once a day. Regular twice-yearly visits to the dentist can help diagnose the symptoms of gum disease early so that less invasive procedures can be employed to correct the problem. If gum disease is detected early enough, it often can be treated with mouthwashes, baking soda treatments or other approaches that do not require deep cleaning. Maintaining proper oral hygiene will reduce the incidence of plaque and tartar and will prevent the need for even non-surgical periodontal therapy in the long term.
