Scaling and root planing of your teeth is a procedure usually recommended for patients suffering from periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the inflammation of the periodontium or supporting structures of the teeth. Build-up of biofilm (plaque) and calculus (tarter) can cause irritation of the gingiva that over time can lead to irritation of the bone and ligament that holds the tooth in the mouth. Without routine dental appointments the build-up can cause bone loss and loosening of the teeth. Scaling and root planing, or a deep cleaning, is a cleaning that involves getting underneath the gums and cleaning all of the built-up calculus from the tooth surfaces while also planing the surface to remove any rough spots. After the scaling and root planing procedure we follow up with you 4-6 weeks later to evaluate the gums.