What Is Scaling and Root Planing?

Published April 13, 2026
3 min read
Cornwall Dental Arts team
Treatments

If your dentist has recommended “scaling and root planing” — or you’ve heard it called a deep cleaning — it means gum disease has moved beyond what a regular cleaning can reach, but is very treatable. This procedure is the standard first-line treatment for periodontitis, and understanding it takes most of the worry out of it.

How it differs from a regular cleaning

A routine hygiene cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the visible surfaces of your teeth and just below the gumline — maintenance for a healthy mouth.

Scaling and root planing goes further, because the problem is further down. When gum disease progresses, pockets form between the gums and teeth, and bacteria and tartar colonize the root surfaces several millimetres below the gumline — where no toothbrush or regular cleaning can reach. (Unsure whether you’re at that stage? Start with Can Gum Disease Be Reversed?)

The two steps

Scaling removes plaque and hardened tartar from the tooth and root surfaces within the pockets, using fine ultrasonic and hand instruments.

Root planing then smooths the root surfaces. This matters for two reasons: bacteria and tartar cling more easily to rough surfaces, and smooth roots let the gum tissue reattach snugly against the tooth — shrinking the pocket where bacteria were living.

What the appointment is like

The area being treated is numbed with local anaesthetic, so the procedure itself is comfortable. Patients with dental anxiety can add nitrous oxide.
Treatment is usually done one side or one quadrant at a time, across one to a few visits, depending on how widespread the disease is.
Each session feels like a longer, more thorough version of a cleaning.

Afterward: what’s normal

For a few days you may notice gum tenderness, minor bleeding when brushing, and some temperature sensitivity as the roots adjust to being clean. Warm salt-water rinses, a soft brush and any product your dental team recommends handle it well. As the gums heal and tighten over the following weeks, they often look better — pinker, firmer, less puffy — and bleeding during brushing typically fades.

Your team will re-measure your gum pockets after healing to confirm the treatment worked and decide next steps.

What comes after deep cleaning

Scaling and root planing removes the infection, but periodontitis is a condition you manage, not a one-time fix. Most patients move onto periodontal maintenance — cleanings at closer intervals (often every 3–4 months) to keep the pockets healthy. We explain why the tighter schedule matters in What Is Periodontal Maintenance?

For most patients, this combination — deep cleaning plus maintenance plus solid home care — stops gum disease in its tracks and keeps teeth stable for the long haul. More advanced cases are assessed individually through our gum disease treatment program.

Been told you need a deep cleaning?

It’s one of the most effective, most routine procedures in dentistry — and the sooner it’s done, the more bone and gum you keep.

Call (613) 932-2058 or request an appointment.

FAQ

Does scaling and root planing hurt?

The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, so no. Mild tenderness and sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal and manageable.

Why can’t I just get a regular cleaning instead?

A regular cleaning can’t reach the tartar and bacteria several millimetres below the gumline. Cleaning only above it leaves the infection active.

How long does healing take?

Initial tenderness settles within days; gum tissue tightens and pockets shrink over the following weeks. A re-evaluation confirms healing.

Will I need it again?

If home care and maintenance visits keep the pockets healthy, often not. Skipping maintenance is the most common reason disease recurs.

This article is provided for general education and does not replace a dental examination, diagnosis, or individualized treatment plan.