Treat a diagnosed need
Scaling and root planing is prescribed for periodontal findings, rather than simply to make a routine cleaning more intensive. The assessment should explain which areas are affected.
General Dentistry / Treatment guide
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, treats affected tooth surfaces beneath the gumline. It removes deposits from areas involved in periodontal disease and is followed by reassessment to see how the tissues respond.
Explore your options with our Atlas Dental team. Ask who would provide your treatment and whether a specialist referral is needed.
Let’s talk about your options See what care can involveA closer lookTreatment animation
The animation could not be played. Open the treatment video.
Cleaning below the gumline
Professional instruments remove deposits from affected tooth and root surfaces beneath the gumline.
- 01Below the gumline
- 02Root surfaces
- 03Deposit removal
The animation makes the deposits and access easier to see. The gums are reassessed after cleaning to decide whether more treatment is needed.
Understanding your care
Cleaning the surfaces involved in periodontal disease
Start with the purpose of treatment, then explore what matters for your own care.
Reach affected root surfaces
The procedure focuses on deposits above and below the gumline, including root surfaces within pockets. Instruments and comfort measures are selected for the clinical situation.
Check what happens next
Reassessment looks at the tissue response and remaining pockets. Maintenance may follow, while persistent areas can need additional treatment or assessment by a periodontal specialist.
From questions to a plan
What care can involve.
The details and sequence depend on your assessment and individual treatment plan.
Confirm the affected areas
Pocket measurements, attachment findings, and relevant imaging help define the treatment areas. Your dentist explains how this differs from a routine preventive cleaning.
Plan comfort and access
The team discusses how the areas will be treated and whether local anesthesia is appropriate. The amount of care and number of visits depend on your needs.
Remove the deposits
Professional instruments clean the affected tooth and root surfaces. The aim is to reduce the deposits contributing to inflammation and support a healthier tissue environment.
Reassess and maintain
The team reviews the response after treatment and recommends ongoing care. Some areas need further therapy, so the next step is based on reassessment.
Before you decide
A plan that makes
sense for you.
Temporary tenderness, sensitivity, or more visible root surfaces can occur as inflamed tissues change. Deep cleaning does not guarantee that every pocket resolves or that lost bone is restored. Some areas need additional periodontal treatment. Daily care, risk-factor management, and ongoing maintenance all contribute to the longer-term plan discussed with your clinician.
Why is it different from a routine cleaning?
It targets root surfaces and pockets affected by periodontal disease. A routine cleaning is intended for different clinical needs, so the diagnosis determines which type of care is appropriate.
Will one treatment finish my gum care?
Not necessarily. The response is checked after treatment, and periodontal maintenance is commonly needed. Remaining pockets or other concerns may require additional care or referral for specialist assessment.
Does the gum get lifted for deep cleaning?
Scaling and root planing is generally non-surgical. Educational images may expose the root surfaces to make the procedure easier to see; surgical access is a different approach that may be discussed for selected situations.
A place to begin
Bring your questions.
We’ll start there.
Talk through your priorities, alternatives and who would provide your care. An assessment helps clarify the next step.
Let’s talk about your optionsOur team will contact you to confirm your visit.
About this guide & educational sources
The treatment images and animations in this guide illustrate examples of care. They are not Atlas Dental patient results, personal treatment recommendations or statements about an individual clinician’s scope. Your assessment and care plan determine which options are appropriate for you.