Deep Cleaning (SRP)
WHAT IS DEEP CLEANING (SCALING AND ROOT PLANING)?
Gum disease is not just a dental issue. It is a health issue, and treating it changes more than your smile.
Scaling and root planing, commonly referred to as a deep cleaning, is the gold standard non-surgical treatment for periodontitis, the stage of gum disease in which bacteria have penetrated below the gum line, inflaming the tissue and beginning to destroy the bone that supports the teeth. At LUMI Dental in Boca Raton, scaling and root planing is a precise, evidence based procedure that removes calculus and bacterial deposits from below the gum line and smooths the root surfaces so that healthy gum tissue can reattach and the inflammatory process can resolve.
Gum disease affects far more than the mouth. A growing body of clinical research links periodontal inflammation to systemic conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Treating gum disease effectively is an investment in your overall health, not just your smile. At LUMI Dental, we diagnose gum disease through a comprehensive periodontal evaluation, including full pocket depth charting and radiographic bone assessment, before recommending treatment. We explain the findings and the recommended course of care in full before any procedure begins.
BENEFITS OF DEEP CLEANING (SCALING AND ROOT PLANING)
- Removes calculus and bacterial biofilm from below the gum line where a standard cleaning cannot reach.
- Reduces pocket depths by allowing inflamed gum tissue to heal and reattach to the root surface.
- Stops the active progression of bone and tissue loss caused by untreated periodontal disease.
- Reduces the systemic inflammation associated with periodontal bacteria.
- A non-surgical and effective treatment for most moderate periodontitis cases.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT DURING A DEEP CLEANING (SCALING AND ROOT PLANING) TREATMENT?
Scaling and root planing is typically performed in quadrants or half mouth sections under local anesthesia, ensuring your complete comfort throughout the procedure. Periodontal instruments are used to carefully remove deposits from the root surfaces well below the gum line and then smooth the root to create an environment that discourages bacterial reattachment and supports tissue healing. A follow-up appointment four to six weeks after treatment evaluates your tissue response, re probes all pocket depths, and determines whether additional therapy is indicated.
OUR APPROACH TO DEEP CLEANING (SCALING AND ROOT PLANING)
At LUMI Dental, scaling and root planing is recommended based on a thorough diagnostic evaluation, not applied routinely to any patient who has not been seen in a while. We document full mouth pocket depths, bleeding on probing, recession levels, and bone levels radiographically before recommending treatment. We then explain exactly what we found, what it means clinically, and why scaling and root planing is the appropriate next step. Post-treatment re-evaluation is a mandatory part of the protocol at LUMI Dental. We do not perform active therapy without confirming the outcome.
Your smile deserves attention today, not tomorrow.
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VIEW ALL TESTIMONIALFrequently Asked Questions LUMI Dental
Is scaling and root planing the same as a regular cleaning?
No. A regular prophylaxis cleans the tooth surfaces above and just at the gum line. Scaling and root planing is a therapeutic procedure that addresses infected root surfaces below the gum line under local anesthesia and requires follow up evaluation.
Does a deep cleaning hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and should be comfortable during treatment. Some soreness and sensitivity in the treated areas in the days following is normal and manageable with over the-counter pain relief.
How many appointments does scaling and root planing take?
Most patients are treated in two appointments, one per side of the mouth, each under local anesthesia. A follow up re evaluation appointment is scheduled four to six weeks later to assess the tissue response.
Will my gum disease be cured after a deep cleaning?
Scaling and root planing controls gum disease rather than curing it. Most patients achieve significant clinical improvement, but periodontal disease is a chronic condition that requires ongoing maintenance to prevent recurrence.
What happens if I do not treat gum disease?
Untreated periodontitis leads to progressive bone loss, increasing tooth mobility, and eventual tooth loss. It also sustains the systemic inflammatory burden associated with periodontal bacteria. Early treatment produces dramatically better outcomes than late-stage intervention.