Scaling & Root Planing in Chicago, IL

When your gums become inflamed, bacteria hides in pockets that trigger the gums to push away from the teeth. Once these layers or pockets have been formed, it is nearly impossible to clean them with just brushing alone. This is where scaling and root planing becomes necessary.

During the scaling portion of this conventional periodontal therapy, our team will use a scaling tool to remove any plaque, bacteria, and tartar around the affected tooth and below the gumline all the way to the bottom of the infected pocket.

After the scaling is complete, we will move onto root planing. The root planing technique is used to smooth out the tooth’s root and ultimately remove the pocket caused by bacteria. When the root has been effectively smoothed, the gums can be reattached and have a greater chance of fully healing.

Some patients report mild discomfort during the procedure and increased sensitivity after the treatment is complete, but with a personalized treatment plan, we can help manage any discomfort and pain. Moving forward, practicing good oral hygiene is paramount for making sure that periodontal disease doesn’t become worse after seeking initial treatment at our office.

A regular cleaning focuses on the teeth above and just below the gumline. When gum disease has formed deeper pockets, bacteria and tartar collect in places a routine cleaning and home care can’t reach. Scaling and root planing clears out those areas so the gums have a better chance to heal and tighten back around the teeth.

Treating these pockets can help reduce inflammation, bleeding and bad breath, and it helps slow or stop the damage gum disease does to the bone and tissues that hold your teeth in place. For many patients, it’s the first step in getting gum disease under control without surgery.

Before treatment, your dentist will measure your gum pockets and review X-rays to decide which areas need care. Scaling and root planing is often done one section of the mouth at a time, so treatment may be split across two or more visits.

On the day of treatment, the area is usually numbed so you stay comfortable while we clean below the gumline and smooth the roots. For a few days afterward, soft foods and warm salt-water rinses often help with soreness.

We’ll typically see you again a few weeks later to recheck your gums and measure the pockets. Many patients then move to a periodontal maintenance schedule, with cleanings more often than twice a year, to help keep gum disease from coming back.