If a dentist has told you that you need a deep cleaning you may have left the appointment feeling slightly alarmed but not entirely sure what that actually means or why it is different from a regular cleaning. This is extremely common. Here is the actual picture.
What makes it deep
A standard cleaning removes plaque and tartar from visible surfaces and from just below the gum line in a healthy sulcus of one to three millimeters. A deep cleaning called scaling and root planing goes further into the periodontal pockets that form when gum disease has caused the gum to detach from the tooth. In periodontitis these pockets can be four, five, or six millimeters or deeper. Tartar accumulates on the root surface within these pockets and removing it requires working below the gum line at depths that regular cleanings do not reach.
What to expect during the procedure
Scaling and root planing is virtually always done under local anesthesia. You should not be feeling pain during the procedure. The procedure is typically divided into two appointments treating the upper and lower arches or the right and left sides separately. Each session typically runs 45 to 90 minutes.
What to expect after
Some soreness in the gums and sensitivity in the treated teeth for one to two weeks is normal. OTC ibuprofen manages most post-procedure discomfort effectively. Continue brushing gently but consistently. Halting plaque accumulation is essential during healing.
The maintenance phase
Scaling and root planing is not a cure for periodontitis. It is the treatment of active disease that transitions you to a maintenance phase. After completing SRP patients are typically re-evaluated at four to six weeks to assess healing. Ongoing three to four month maintenance cleanings are standard of care for periodontitis patients. Nutritional support during and after SRP supports healing. Vitamin C for collagen repair and oral probiotics as an adjunct have specific clinical trial evidence. Our supplement comparison covers products using this approach.
Educational content. Scaling and root planing should be performed by a dental professional.
