Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing): What It Actually Involves

By Dr. Boris Zusin · Published August 1, 2026

If we've recommended a “deep cleaning” rather than your usual routine cleaning, it's a genuinely different procedure — not just a longer version of the same thing.

What Scaling and Root Planing Actually Means

Scaling and root planing is a two-part treatment aimed specifically at gum disease. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from both above and below the gumline, going down to the base of each gum pocket. Root planing then smooths the surface of the tooth root itself, removing rough spots where bacteria tend to collect and making it easier for your gums to reattach cleanly to the tooth.

Why It's Recommended

A deep cleaning is typically recommended when the pockets between your gums and teeth have deepened beyond what a regular cleaning can effectively reach — a sign of periodontitis, the more advanced stage of gum disease. According to a 2015 clinical review published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, scaling and root planing is genuinely beneficial for patients with this diagnosis.

What to Expect

The procedure may take more than one visit and often involves a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable, since it goes deeper than a routine cleaning. It's normal to have some soreness for a day or two afterward and tooth sensitivity for up to about a week; mild gum swelling, tenderness, or bleeding in the days after is also expected as your gums heal.

If a deep cleaning has been recommended for you, learn more about our approach to non-surgical periodontal treatment.