Routine scaling
Cleans the visible tooth surfaces and just below the gumline. Preventive, usually every six months, no anaesthetic needed.
Non-surgical gum treatment
Deep Cleaning, Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is the core non-surgical treatment for gum disease. It cleans the root surfaces inside the gum pockets, where a routine cleaning cannot reach, so the gum can heal and reattach.
- Done under local anaesthetic, comfortably
- Usually completed in one or two appointments
- Re-measured afterwards, so the result is verified
Overview
About Deep Cleaning and Root Planing
A routine scaling cleans what is visible above and just under the gumline. Deep cleaning is a different procedure. When pockets have formed between gum and tooth, calculus and bacterial deposits sit on the root surface several millimetres down, out of reach of both your toothbrush and a standard clean.
Scaling and root planing works inside those pockets. Ultrasonic instruments and hand curettes remove the deposits and smooth the root surface, because a rough, contaminated root cannot be reattached to by healthy gum tissue. It is done under local anaesthetic, quadrant by quadrant, so the area stays numb and the work can be thorough rather than rushed.
What follows matters as much as the procedure. Gums shrink slightly as inflammation resolves, pockets get shallower, and the tissue firms up over six to eight weeks. We re-chart at that point and compare the numbers with the ones taken before treatment. That comparison, not how the mouth feels, is what tells us whether further treatment is needed.
Treatment details
How it differs from a routine clean
Scaling and root planing
Cleans inside periodontal pockets and smooths the root surface. Treatment for active disease, done under anaesthetic.
Full mouth or by quadrant
We usually treat one or two quadrants per visit so each area gets proper time and you are not numb everywhere at once.
Periodontal maintenance
After treatment, cleanings at three to four month intervals rather than six, because treated pockets recolonise faster.
Know the signs
You may need deep cleaning if
- Gum pockets measure 4mm or deeper on charting
- Gums bleed on probing at multiple sites
- X-rays show bone loss around the teeth
- Calculus is visible below the gumline
- Bad breath persists despite good home care
- It has been years since your last professional cleaning
Patient journey
What to expect
We keep the process clear so you know what is happening at every stage.
Charting first
Pocket depths at six points per tooth, plus bleeding and mobility. This decides which quadrants need treatment.
Anaesthetic
The quadrant is numbed properly before we start, so instruments can work to the base of each pocket without discomfort.
Scaling and planing
Ultrasonic and hand instrumentation clean the root surfaces inside the pockets, then smooth them.
Re-evaluation at six to eight weeks
Pockets are re-measured against the original chart. Most improve substantially; any that do not are addressed next.
Why patients choose us
Why choose Gums & Giggles for deep cleaning and root planing?
Charted before and after
You get numbers, not reassurance. The improvement is recorded site by site.
Anaesthetic as standard
Deep cleaning done without anaesthetic tends to be incomplete, because it has to stop where the patient stops.
Periodontist-led
The decision about what to treat, and what to do next if pockets persist, is made by a specialist.
Maintenance planned properly
Your recall interval is set from your risk and your results, not from a default six months.
Aftercare
The first two weeks after deep cleaning
Expect some sensitivity
Cold sensitivity for a few days to a couple of weeks is normal as the gums settle. Desensitising toothpaste helps.
Keep cleaning the area
Gently but completely, from the day after treatment. Plaque control is what lets the gum reattach.
Eat softer for a day or two
Avoid very hot, very cold and hard foods while the anaesthetic wears off and the gums are tender.
Attend the re-evaluation
Skipping it means nobody finds out whether the treatment worked. This visit is part of the treatment, not an optional extra.
Common questions
FAQs about Deep Cleaning and Root Planing
Is deep cleaning really necessary, or is it oversold?
It is necessary when charting shows pockets of 4mm or more with bleeding, and X-rays confirm bone loss. It is not necessary for healthy gums with a bit of calculus, which a routine scaling handles. Asking to see your pocket chart is a fair question, and we will show it to you.
How long does it take?
Each quadrant usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. Most patients complete treatment in one or two appointments, depending on how many quadrants are involved.
Will my teeth be sensitive afterwards?
Often yes, for a few days to two weeks, particularly to cold. It settles as the gums heal. Desensitising toothpaste used consistently shortens that period.
What if the pockets do not improve?
Sites that stay deep after deep cleaning and good home care are usually treated surgically, so the root surfaces and any bone defects can be cleaned under direct vision. The re-evaluation appointment is where that decision is made.
Find us
Visit our clinic in Kathmandu
Conveniently located on Dhobidhara Marg, minutes from Lazimpat, Maharajgunj, Naxal, Baluwatar, and Thamel.
Clinic information
- Address
- Dhobidhara Marg, Near Kumari Hall, Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
- Phone
- +977 984-1243430
- Hours
- Sunday to Friday, 10 AM to 7 PM
Told you need a deep cleaning?
Book a periodontal examination. We will chart your gums, show you the numbers, and explain exactly which areas need treatment.