Scaling & Root Planing in Gilbert, AZ
Scaling and root planing — often called a deep cleaning — is a non-surgical treatment used to manage gum disease, provided at our Gilbert, AZ office.
Scaling and root planing — commonly called deep cleaning — is a non-surgical treatment for gum disease (periodontitis). At Dentists 'R Us in Gilbert, AZ, the procedure involves removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline and smoothing the root surfaces.
Gum disease is common among adults, and its early signs can be easy to miss. If Dr. Ali Nia, DMD, has recommended a deep cleaning, it means pockets have been identified around your teeth that a standard cleaning cannot address. Treating gum disease can help limit further progression.
Deep cleaning is not a "more thorough version" of a regular cleaning — it is a treatment for diagnosed gum disease. Its purpose is to remove bacteria from below the gumline and address pocket depths; how gums respond varies by case and depends on ongoing home care and maintenance.
What Is Scaling & Root Planing?
The procedure has two components. Scaling removes plaque, hardened tartar (calculus), and bacterial deposits from tooth surfaces both above and below the gumline — reaching into the periodontal pockets. Root planing smooths rough areas on the root surfaces where bacteria tend to collect.
Together, these two steps remove bacteria and deposits from below the gumline. How the gums respond varies from patient to patient.
The Deep Cleaning Process
Scaling and root planing generally follows these steps:
Diagnosis
Pocket depths and imaging are used to identify which areas need treatment and how advanced the disease is.
Numbing
Treatment areas are typically numbed with local anesthesia before cleaning begins.
Scaling
Plaque and tartar are removed from tooth surfaces and root areas below the gums.
Root Planing
Root surfaces are smoothed to remove rough spots where bacteria tend to accumulate.
Additional Measures
Depending on your case, additional measures may be discussed after your deep cleaning. Dr. Ali Nia, DMD, will review whether anything further applies to your situation.
Follow-Up
A follow-up visit is typically scheduled after treatment to re-measure pocket depths and plan ongoing maintenance.
The number of visits depends on how many areas need treatment, and sessions are often organized by the area of the mouth being cleaned. Dr. Ali Nia, DMD, will outline the schedule for your case.
Signs You May Need Deep Cleaning
Gum disease can develop without obvious symptoms. However, the following signs can point to gum disease and are a reason to schedule an evaluation:
- Bleeding gums — Gums that bleed during brushing, flossing, or dental probing
- Red, swollen gums — Healthy gums are pink and firm; inflamed gums are red and puffy
- Persistent bad breath — Chronic halitosis that does not improve with brushing
- Receding gums — Teeth appearing longer as gum tissue pulls away
- Loose teeth — Teeth that feel mobile or have shifted position
- Deep pockets — Spaces between the teeth and gums that have deepened, identified during your dental exam
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an evaluation — untreated gum disease can progress to bone loss and tooth loss.
Treating Diagnosed Gum Disease
Deep cleaning is a treatment for diagnosed gum disease below the gumline. If it has been recommended for you, contact our office to schedule.
Recovery & What to Expect
After scaling and root planing, it is common to notice some soreness, gum tenderness, temporary sensitivity to hot and cold, and slight bleeding when brushing at first. Aftercare guidance is shared at your visit and may include gentle brushing with a soft brush, choosing softer foods for a short time, and warm salt-water rinses. Contact us if discomfort is severe or does not improve.
After treatment, periodontal maintenance is scheduled on an interval based on how your gums respond.
If you have questions or concerns before your appointment, please call our office. Our team can help you prepare for your visit.
The Consequences of Untreated Gum Disease
Gum disease that is not treated can progress. Early gum inflammation (gingivitis) can advance to periodontitis, in which bone loss begins, and then to more advanced stages that may involve loose teeth. Untreated gum disease can lead to bone and tooth loss over time.
Scaling and root planing is intended to remove the bacteria and deposits driving this progression; outcomes vary by case.
Scaling & Root Planing at a Glance
- Visits — Depends on how many areas need treatment
- Duration — Varies by session scope
- Anesthesia — Local numbing is typically used; call our office if you have questions about comfort
- Recovery — Some soreness and sensitivity are common; aftercare guidance is provided
- Cost — Costs vary by case; our team can review expected costs with you before treatment begins
- After treatment — Periodontal maintenance on a schedule set for you
Deep Cleaning in Gilbert & the East Valley
Deep cleaning at Dentists 'R Us is provided by Dr. Ali Nia, DMD, at our Gilbert office. The process starts with measuring the pockets around your teeth so treatment can be planned around the condition of your gums.
If you have been told you need a deep cleaning, or if you are experiencing bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or other signs of gum disease, schedule an evaluation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The treatment areas are typically numbed with local anesthesia before cleaning begins. Some soreness afterward is common; call us if it is severe or does not improve. If you have questions about comfort during your procedure, our team can discuss options with you.
Costs vary by case depending on how much of the mouth needs treatment; our team can review expected costs with you before treatment begins.
Recovery varies from patient to patient. Some soreness and tenderness are common afterward. Keep your follow-up visit so healing and pocket depths can be reassessed.
Frequency depends on gum health and the stability of your condition. After the initial deep cleaning, periodontal maintenance is scheduled for you — and additional treatment may be recommended if gum disease recurs in specific areas.
A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) removes plaque and tartar above the gumline and is a preventive service. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes below the gumline to remove bacteria and tartar from root surfaces as a treatment for diagnosed gum disease.
Untreated gum disease can progress — pockets can deepen, bone loss can continue, and teeth can become loose or be lost. If a deep cleaning has been recommended for you, scheduling it sooner gives the disease less time to advance.
Ready to Get Started?
Gum disease can progress without treatment. If a deep cleaning has been recommended for you, schedule your appointment today.