When plaque and tartar collect beneath the gumline, a standard cleaning can't reach them. Scaling and root planing clears out that hidden buildup and smooths the root surfaces, giving inflamed gums the chance to heal and reattach before gum disease can advance.
What scaling and root planing treats
Gum disease begins when plaque hardens into tartar below the gumline, where a toothbrush and a routine cleaning cannot reach. The gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that trap more bacteria, and the bone that holds the teeth slowly recedes. Scaling and root planing is the standard first treatment for this early to moderate stage of periodontitis. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from the tooth and root surfaces beneath the gum. Root planing smooths the root so the gum can reattach and there is less rough surface for new buildup to cling to.
Who it is for
At your checkup we measure the depth of the pocket around each tooth. Healthy gums measure one to three millimetres. Pockets of four millimetres or more, bleeding when the gums are probed, visible recession or bone loss on an X-ray are the usual reasons we recommend a deep cleaning rather than a standard one. Gums that bleed when you floss, persistent bad breath and teeth that feel slightly loose are worth mentioning at your visit even if they seem minor.
What happens at the appointment
Treatment is usually completed in one or two visits, often one side of the mouth at a time so you can eat comfortably on the other. The area is numbed with local anesthetic first. We use ultrasonic instruments to break up heavy deposits and fine hand instruments to clean and smooth each root surface. A visit typically takes an hour or a little more.
Recovery and aftercare
Expect mild tenderness and some sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days; over-the-counter pain relief is usually all that is needed. Brush gently, floss daily and rinse as directed. We see you again about four to six weeks later to re-measure the pockets and confirm the gums are healing. Many patients then move to a periodontal maintenance schedule, a cleaning every three to four months rather than every six, which is what keeps the disease from returning.
Cost and insurance
Scaling and root planing is a medically necessary periodontal treatment, and most dental plans cover part of the cost, usually billed per quadrant of the mouth. Bring your insurance details to your visit and we will give you a written estimate before treatment begins. Learn more about insurance and financing.
Why patients choose it
- Removes buildup below the gumline
- Halts early gum disease
- Helps gums reattach
- Non-surgical and effective
Scaling & Root Planing at our New York office
In Midtown Manhattan, scaling and root planing is provided at 630 5th Avenue, Suite 1815, steps from Rockefeller Center. Our New York office is home to the ToothDocs periodontal team: Dr. Evelyn Spencer, a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Noor Mukhtar and Dr. Nicholas Arroyo. That matters if your case turns out to be more advanced. When pockets do not respond to a deep cleaning alone, the same team can move to surgical treatment, gum grafting or regenerative procedures without sending you elsewhere. Call (212) 969-9490 or book online and choose New York.
Your Scaling & Root Planing team in New York
Scaling & Root Planing at our Roslyn office
Deep cleanings for gum disease are performed at our Roslyn office at 1044 Northern Blvd., Suite 106, for patients across Roslyn, Manhasset, Port Washington, Sea Cliff and the North Shore of Nassau County. If your gums bleed when you brush, or your last checkup found deeper pockets, start with an exam here. When scaling and root planing is the right next step, the treatment and the follow-up visits are scheduled at this office, so gum care does not mean a trip into the city.
Long Island patients often ask whether a deep cleaning can wait until the next six-month visit. It should not. Pockets deepen, bone loss is permanent, and treating gum disease early is usually the difference between a non-surgical cleaning now and periodontal surgery later. Call (516) 625-0088 or request an appointment and choose Roslyn.
Your Scaling & Root Planing team in Roslyn
Frequently asked
Is scaling and root planing painful?+
We numb the area first, so the procedure is comfortable. Mild tenderness afterward is normal and usually eases within a day or two.
How is it different from a regular cleaning?+
A regular cleaning polishes the visible tooth surface, while scaling and root planing cleans below the gumline to treat early gum disease.
How many visits does scaling and root planing take?+
Usually one or two. We often treat one side of the mouth per visit so you can chew comfortably on the other side while it heals, then see you about four to six weeks later to check that the pockets are shrinking.
Will my gums grow back after a deep cleaning?+
Gum that has receded does not grow back on its own, but inflamed gums shrink and tighten as they heal, and pockets become shallower. If recession has exposed the roots, a gum graft can cover them once the gums are healthy.
How often do I need cleanings after scaling and root planing?+
Most patients move to periodontal maintenance, a cleaning every three to four months instead of every six. Bacteria repopulate the pockets in roughly three months, so the shorter interval is what keeps gum disease from coming back.
Where can I get Scaling & Root Planing near New York?+
ToothDocs offers Scaling & Root Planing at our New York office: 630 5th Avenue, Suite 1815, New York, NY 10111. Call (212) 969-9490 or request an appointment online to get started.
Where can I get Scaling & Root Planing near Roslyn?+
ToothDocs offers Scaling & Root Planing at our Roslyn office: 1044 Northern Blvd., Suite 106, Roslyn, NY 11576. Call (516) 625-0088 or request an appointment online to get started.