Scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning, is a non-surgical treatment for gum disease that removes tartar and bacteria from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots. We provide it in Redondo Beach, a short drive from Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Gum disease is common, and it is easy to miss because it rarely hurts in the early stages. A national study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 2018 estimated that 42% of U.S. adults aged 30 and older with natural teeth had periodontitis, and 7.8% had a severe form. If a dentist has told you that you need a deep cleaning, or your gums bleed when you brush, call Redondo Beach Dental Group at (310) 542-6988 for a gum evaluation.
Deep Cleaning vs. a Regular Cleaning
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces above the gumline and just under the edge of healthy gums. It is the preventive visit most people have every six months as part of their routine dental cleanings and exams.
Scaling and root planing goes further. When gum disease advances, the gum pulls away from the tooth and forms a pocket. Tartar and bacteria collect on the root surface inside that pocket, where a toothbrush, floss and a regular cleaning cannot reach. The treatment cleans those root surfaces down to the bottom of the pocket.
The decision is based on measurements, not on how your teeth look. During an exam, a thin probe measures the space between each tooth and the gum. Healthy pockets are generally 1 to 3 millimeters deep. Pockets of 4 millimeters or more, especially with bleeding or bone loss on X-rays, are a common sign that a regular cleaning is no longer enough.
Signs you may need a deep cleaning
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Bad breath or a bad taste that does not go away
- Gums that have pulled back, making teeth look longer
- Teeth that feel loose or have started to shift
Early gum disease, called gingivitis, affects only the gums and can usually be reversed with professional cleanings and better home care. Once it becomes periodontitis and the bone around the teeth is affected, lost bone does not grow back on its own. Treatment aims to stop the disease from going further.
What Happens During Scaling and Root Planing
- We record the pocket depths around each tooth and review X-rays, so there is a starting point to compare against later.
- The area being treated is numbed with local anesthetic.
- Ultrasonic and hand instruments scale away hardened tartar and bacteria from the tooth and root surfaces, above and below the gumline.
- Root planing then smooths the root surfaces so bacteria have fewer rough spots to cling to and the gum can tighten back around the tooth.
- In some cases the treatment is combined with other periodontal therapy, such as an antibiotic.
Treatment is often split into more than one appointment, with one section of the mouth treated at each visit. If you feel anxious about dental work, ask about sedation dentistry along with the local anesthetic.
After Your Deep Cleaning
These effects are common in the days and weeks that follow:
- Gums may be tender for a few days. Ask us which pain reliever is right for you
- Teeth can feel sensitive to cold for a few weeks, because the root surfaces are no longer covered in tartar. A sensitivity toothpaste can help
- Gums that were swollen often tighten as they heal, so some teeth may look slightly longer. This is the swelling going down
- Wait until the numbness wears off before eating, and stick to softer foods while the area is sore
- Brush gently and clean between your teeth every day. Home care is what keeps the result
Once your gums have had time to heal, the pockets are measured again to see how they responded. Ask us when that follow-up visit should be booked.
Where Scaling and Root Planing Fits in Gum Disease Treatment
For most people with periodontitis, scaling and root planing is the first treatment. What comes next depends on how the gums respond.
If the pockets shrink and the bleeding settles, you move to periodontal maintenance, a cleaning both above and below the gumline, typically every three months instead of every six. Bacteria in a treated pocket can build back up within weeks, so this schedule is what helps keep the disease under control. Some patients are also offered Perio Protect, which uses custom trays to hold medication against the gums at home.
If some pockets stay deep after healing, a deep cleaning alone may not reach the bottom of them. The next options include laser pocket reduction, where a dental laser is used to clean and reduce the pocket, or other forms of periodontal surgery for more advanced disease.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations. At your visit your measurements and X-rays are reviewed with you, along with whether a deep cleaning is needed.
What Scaling and Root Planing Costs
The cost of scaling and root planing depends on how much of the mouth needs it. Dentists usually bill it by quadrant, meaning one quarter of the mouth, and the fee is lower when only one to three teeth in a quadrant need treatment. X-rays, the exam and any added therapy, such as an antibiotic, can also affect the total. Ask for an estimate after your exam so you know the number before treatment starts.
Most dental insurance plans treat scaling and root planing as a periodontal procedure and cover part of it, subject to your deductible, frequency limits and annual maximum. We accept PPO plans; ask us how your plan applies to this treatment. For the remaining balance, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does scaling and root planing cost?
The cost of scaling and root planing depends on how many quadrants of the mouth need treatment and how many teeth in each quadrant are affected. Ask Redondo Beach Dental Group for an estimate after your exam.
Does insurance cover scaling and root planing?
Insurance usually covers part of scaling and root planing, because most dental plans list it as a periodontal procedure rather than a routine cleaning. Your deductible, any frequency limits and your annual maximum still apply, so ask us how your plan applies to this treatment.
Is a dental deep cleaning worth it?
A dental deep cleaning is worth it when your gum measurements show periodontitis. Left untreated, the disease can keep destroying the bone that holds your teeth, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. Scaling and root planing is the standard first treatment for slowing or stopping that process.
How painful is a tooth deep cleaning?
A tooth deep cleaning is done with the area numbed, so most people feel pressure and vibration rather than pain during treatment. Afterward, the gums are often tender for a few days and the teeth may be sensitive to cold for a few weeks. Patients who are nervous can ask about sedation.
Do gums grow back after scaling and root planing?
Gums do not grow back to cover root surfaces that were already exposed, but they usually become firmer and fit more tightly around the teeth as the swelling goes down. Because of that tightening, some teeth can look slightly longer after healing. Gum grafting is a separate treatment for recession that needs correcting.
What are the downsides of scaling and root planing?
The main downsides of scaling and root planing are temporary: tender gums for a few days, sensitivity to cold while the roots settle, and teeth that may look slightly longer once swelling resolves. It also has to be followed by regular maintenance cleanings, because the bacteria that cause gum disease come back without them.
Can a general dentist do scaling and root planing?
A general dentist can do scaling and root planing, and it is commonly provided in general dental offices by dentists and registered dental hygienists. A periodontist, a dentist with specialty training in gum disease, is more often involved when the disease is advanced or does not respond to non-surgical treatment.
Book a Gum Evaluation in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online. Scaling and root planing is one part of the periodontal care we provide in Redondo Beach.