Gum Care
Scaling and Root Planing in Gladstone
A deeper clean for gums that need extra care.
When plaque and tartar settle below the gumline, a regular cleaning cannot reach them. Scaling and root planing clears those deposits away and gives inflamed gums a chance to recover.
Exceptional Dentistry in Gladstone, MO
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is often called a deep cleaning, and it is one of the most common ways dentists treat gum disease before it advances. Over time, plaque that is not removed hardens into tartar, and bacteria in those deposits can irritate the gums until they pull away from the teeth and form pockets. Scaling removes the plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and from inside those pockets, while root planing smooths the roots so bacteria have fewer places to cling. With the roots clean and smooth, the gum tissue has a better chance to tighten back around the teeth. Your dentist may recommend this treatment after measuring your gums and reviewing X-rays, and it is usually followed by a schedule of periodontal maintenance visits.
Signs your gums may need a deep cleaning
Gum disease often develops quietly, so a professional evaluation is the only way to know for certain. These are some of the signs worth mentioning at your next visit:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
- Gums that look like they are pulling away from the teeth
- Teeth that feel loose or look like they are shifting
Know the difference
Routine cleaning or deep cleaning?
Both remove plaque and tartar, but they treat different situations.
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Routine cleaning
A dental cleaning focuses on the visible tooth surfaces and just at the gumline, keeping healthy gums healthy.
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Deep cleaning
Scaling and root planing reaches below the gumline into the pockets that form with gum disease, where a toothbrush and floss cannot go.
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Ongoing care
After a deep cleaning, more frequent maintenance visits help keep bacteria from rebuilding in those areas.
What happens during treatment
- The area being treated is numbed for your comfort
- Tartar and plaque are removed with hand instruments and may be loosened with ultrasonic scalers
- The root surfaces are smoothed to discourage bacteria from reattaching
- Treatment may be divided into sections of the mouth across more than one appointment
- Your dentist reviews home care and plans your follow-up visits
New patient special
$98
A $308 value for your first visit
Visiting us for the first time? Our new patient offer includes:
- Comprehensive exam
- Panoramic X-rays
- Bitewing digital X-rays
- Intraoral photos
- Smile evaluation
- Full gum evaluation
- Oral cancer screening
- TMJ and bite evaluation
- Review of your treatment options
- A written treatment plan
Book your visit
Take the first step toward healthier gums
If your gums bleed or feel tender, an exam is the best place to start. We’ll check your gum health and explain whether a deep cleaning, or another treatment such as a gingivectomy, makes sense for you.
The short answer
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning for gum disease that removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline. After the area is numbed, scaling clears deposits from the tooth surfaces and from inside the pockets that form when gums pull away from the teeth, and root planing smooths the roots so bacteria have fewer places to cling. With the roots clean and smooth, the gums have a better chance to tighten back around the teeth, and treatment is usually followed by periodontal maintenance visits.
Scaling and Root Planing FAQ
- Is a deep cleaning the same as a regular cleaning?
- No, a deep cleaning is not the same as a regular cleaning. A regular cleaning works above and just at the gumline to keep healthy gums healthy, while scaling and root planing cleans deeper, inside the pockets that form around teeth affected by gum disease. The deep cleaning also smooths the root surfaces so the gums have a better chance to tighten back around the teeth.
- Will I feel anything during treatment?
- The area being treated is numbed before the cleaning begins, for your comfort. Afterward, your gums and teeth may feel tender or sensitive for a short time. Your dentist will explain how to care for them, and treatment may be divided into sections of the mouth across more than one appointment.
- Why do my gums bleed?
- Bleeding is a common sign of gum inflammation caused by bacteria along and below the gumline. Plaque that is not removed hardens into tartar, and bacteria in those deposits irritate the gums until they become red, swollen or tender. It is worth having it checked rather than brushing more gently to avoid it, since gum disease often develops quietly.
- What happens after scaling and root planing?
- After scaling and root planing, your dentist will re-evaluate your gums to see how the tissue is responding. You will typically be scheduled for periodontal maintenance visits, which come more frequently than routine cleanings. Those visits keep the treated areas clean and help keep bacteria from rebuilding in the pockets.
- Can gum disease come back?
- Yes, gum disease can come back, especially if plaque is allowed to build up again. Bacteria can return to the pockets around the teeth when deposits are not removed regularly. Consistent brushing, flossing and professional maintenance visits help keep it under control.
Your dentist
Meet Dr. Emily Marx
A skilled family dentist, Dr. Marx is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable while achieving their best smile. Meet Dr. Marx
