What is deep cleaning or root planing and scaling?
Deep cleaning is a procedure that is meant to clean the areas of the teeth at or below the gum line where there is plaque and tartar buildup. This build up contributes to the separation of the gum tissue from the roots of the teeth and causes “pocketing.” This is what is commonly called, gum disease. Root planing [deep cleaning] is done while the patient is numb and smooths the roots of the teeth to allow for healing and the reattachment of the gums to the roots of the teeth.
