Scaling and root planing

<p>Scaling and root planing, also known as conventional periodontal therapy, non-surgical periodontal therapy or deep cleaning, is a procedure involving removal of <a href="/facts/Dental_plaque/b67GE1pA">dental plaque</a> and <a href="/facts/Calculus_(dental)/nsvBI3Hz">calculus</a> (scaling or <a href="/facts/Debridement_(dental)/Cvrbom0o">debridement</a>) and then smoothing, or planing, of the (exposed) surfaces of the roots, removing <a href="/facts/Cementum/l4L0ftmM">cementum</a> or <a href="/facts/Dentine/UMpkJ3UV">dentine</a> that is impregnated with calculus, toxins, or microorganisms, the agents that cause inflammation. It is a part of non-surgical periodontal therapy. This helps to establish a <a href="/facts/Periodontium/UF5qgopP">periodontium</a> that is in remission of periodontal disease. <a href="/facts/Periodontal_scaler/R7Ia6Hf3">Periodontal scalers</a> and <a href="/facts/Periodontal_curette/P7s7X8P5">periodontal curettes</a> are some of the tools involved.
</p><p>A regular, non-deep teeth cleaning includes tooth scaling, <a href="/facts/Tooth_polishing/82aPpdER">tooth polishing</a>, and <a href="/facts/Debridement_(dental)/Cvrbom0o">debridement</a> if too much <a href="/facts/Calculus_(dental)/nsvBI3Hz">tartar</a> has accumulated, but does not include root planing.
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Scaling and root planing open-in-new

Scaling and root planing