Scaling and Root Planing in Raleigh, NC

Deep Cleaning to Treat Periodontal Disease

If you have been told you need a deep cleaning, you deserve to understand the diagnosis and the plan. Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical treatment that removes bacterial deposits from tooth surfaces below the gumline. It is commonly recommended for periodontitis, a form of gum disease that damages the tissues and bone supporting your teeth.

At Russo Dentistry in Raleigh, NC, your care begins with an examination. Dr. Justin Russo and our dental hygiene team explain your findings, discuss comfort and costs, and plan treatment and follow-up around your needs. New patients and patients seeking an evaluation of an existing recommendation are welcome.

Book a Gum Health Evaluation Call 919-890-5147

On this page: Understanding treatment · Your appointment · Recovery · Maintenance · Costs and insurance · 24 patient FAQs

What Is Scaling and Root Planing?

Plaque is a bacterial film that forms on teeth. When deposits harden into tartar, brushing and flossing cannot remove them. In periodontitis, deposits can collect in spaces between the gums and teeth called periodontal pockets.

• Scaling removes plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces, including the affected areas below the gumline.
• Root planing cleans affected root surfaces to help create conditions in which the gum tissues can heal.

The goal is to control periodontal infection and inflammation and make the area easier to maintain. Treatment can help reduce bleeding and pocket depth, but results depend on the severity of disease, healing, daily home care, and continued professional care.

How Is This Different from a Routine Cleaning?

A routine dental cleaning is preventive care for patients whose gum condition is appropriate for that service. Scaling and root planing treats areas affected by periodontitis. It involves more detailed cleaning of diseased root surfaces and often requires local anesthesia.

Bleeding gums alone do not automatically mean you need scaling and root planing. Gingivitis, periodontitis, and other causes of inflammation require different plans. We base recommendations on the examination, rather than simply on how long it has been since your last cleaning.

How We Determine Whether Treatment Is Needed

Your periodontal evaluation may include gum-pocket measurements, bleeding and recession assessment, tooth mobility checks, and X-rays to assess supporting bone. We also review your medical history and factors that can affect gum health and healing.

Tell us about bleeding, persistent bad breath, tender gums, loose teeth, or changes in your bite. Gum disease can also develop without noticeable pain. Ask us to show you the findings and explain which teeth or areas need treatment.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

1. Review the diagnosis and plan. We discuss the affected areas, recommended visits, estimated fees, and questions about your care.
2. Plan for comfort. Local anesthetic is commonly used to numb the treatment area. Let us know about anxiety, sensitivity, or past difficulty getting numb.
3. Clean the affected root surfaces. Your clinician uses appropriate hand and/or ultrasonic instruments to remove deposits above and below the gumline.
4. Discuss home care and healing. You receive instructions tailored to the areas treated and any prescribed products.
5. Reevaluate the response. After a healing period, we reassess the gums and determine the next stage of care.

Treatment may be completed in one visit or divided into sections of the mouth over several visits. The extent of disease, your comfort, and the time needed for thorough care determine the schedule. Our team will explain your appointment plan before treatment.

Preparing for Your Visit

Bring your medication list and insurance details, and tell us about allergies, pregnancy, diabetes, blood thinners, and previous periodontal treatment. If you have recent X-rays or gum measurements from another office, let us know so we can discuss obtaining them. Do not stop prescribed medication on your own.

If dental anxiety is a concern, ask about relaxation dentistry in advance. If you take prescribed anxiolysis medication, you must have a responsible adult drive you to and from your appointment. Do not drive yourself. Follow the specific medication, eating, and transportation instructions our team provides.

Recovery and Home Care

Some gum tenderness, minor bleeding, or sensitivity to temperature can occur after treatment. The course of healing varies; discomfort should generally improve rather than intensify. As swollen gums heal, roots or spaces between teeth may become more visible.

• While you are numb: Wait until normal sensation returns before chewing, and avoid hot food or drinks that could burn your mouth.
• Choose comfortable foods: Softer foods may be easier at first. Avoid foods that irritate the treated gums.
• Keep the area clean: Follow the brushing and interdental-cleaning instructions given for your treatment. Ask if you are unsure how to clean a sensitive area.
• Use medications only as directed: A rinse or other medicine may be prescribed for a specific reason; it is not part of every treatment plan.
• Support healing: Avoid tobacco, and keep your follow-up appointments. Tell us if home care is difficult so we can help you adjust your technique.

Call 919-890-5147 for bleeding that does not settle, severe or worsening pain, significant swelling, fever, or other concerning symptoms. Rapidly spreading swelling or difficulty breathing or swallowing requires immediate emergency care.

Reevaluation and Periodontal Maintenance

The follow-up examination matters as much as the initial cleaning. After several weeks of healing, we check the tissue response and compare measurements. Areas with persistent inflammation or deep pockets may need further treatment.

Periodontitis requires ongoing management. Periodontal maintenance combines monitoring, professional cleaning, and care of problem areas after active treatment. Visits are often closer together than routine preventive appointments; the interval is based on your risk and response, not a fixed schedule for every patient.

When specialist assessment is appropriate, we can coordinate with Dr. Thiago Morelli, our periodontal specialist. Some teeth or sites need treatment beyond nonsurgical cleaning. We will explain those options rather than promise that a deep cleaning can resolve every case.

Costs, Insurance, and Planning Your Care

Your estimate depends on the number of teeth or sections treated, disease severity, imaging and evaluation needs, and any additional care. Ask what is included in the estimate and how reevaluation and maintenance visits will be billed.

Russo Dentistry accepts and files PPO dental insurance. Scaling and root planing is billed differently from a routine cleaning, and coverage may depend on clinical documentation, plan limits, deductibles, and other rules. Our team can review estimated benefits, but the insurer determines final payment. Read our dental insurance information.

If you do not have coverage, ask about our membership and payment options and whether any benefits apply to the periodontal care recommended for you. A membership’s routine-cleaning benefits should not be assumed to cover scaling and root planing.

Scaling and Root Planing FAQs

These answers cover common questions. Your examination and medical history determine the treatment and aftercare instructions that apply to you.

Why do I need treatment if my gums do not hurt?

Periodontitis can progress with little discomfort. A recommendation may be based on loss of supporting tissue or bone, gum-pocket findings, and deposits below the gumline. Ask your clinician to explain the specific findings in your mouth. The absence of pain does not rule out disease.

Can I have a regular cleaning instead?

A routine preventive cleaning does not provide the same treatment for diseased root surfaces. If the diagnosis is periodontitis, substituting a routine cleaning may leave the underlying problem untreated. We can discuss the diagnosis, alternatives, and the consequences of delaying care. You are welcome to ask questions or seek another evaluation.

Is root planing the same as a root canal?

No. Root planing treats the outside surfaces of tooth roots beneath the gums. Root canal therapy treats inflamed or infected tissue inside a tooth. They address different conditions, although an individual tooth can sometimes have both periodontal and endodontic problems.

Is scaling and root planing surgery?

It is usually a nonsurgical procedure performed through the existing spaces around the teeth, without incisions or stitches. More advanced disease or pockets that remain difficult to maintain may need a separate periodontal procedure. We assess the response to initial care before recommending the next step.

Will the procedure hurt?

Local anesthetic is commonly used so the area is numb during treatment. You may notice pressure, vibration, or water from the instruments. Tell the clinician if you feel discomfort so it can be addressed. Tenderness afterward is possible, and your team will review appropriate comfort measures.

How long will it take, and does my whole mouth need treatment?

The time and number of visits depend on which teeth are affected, the amount of buildup, pocket depth, and your comfort. Treatment is sometimes organized by quadrants, or quarters of the mouth. Not every patient needs all four quadrants treated. Our team will provide an estimate of appointment time after evaluating you.

Can I return to work afterward?

Many people can resume ordinary activities after treatment with local anesthetic, but soreness, numbness, the extent of care, and your job may affect your plans. If you take medication for anxiety or sedation, follow the separate activity restrictions provided. Ask about scheduling before making work commitments.

Will I need a driver?

Transportation requirements depend on your medication plan. If you take prescribed anxiolysis medication, a responsible adult must drive you both to the office and home afterward. Do not drive yourself. Arrange this before the visit and follow our team’s instructions about when it is safe to resume driving.

When can I eat and drink?

Wait until the numbness wears off before chewing, and avoid hot food and drinks while sensation is reduced. Choose foods that feel comfortable as your gums recover; soft foods may be easier initially. Follow any additional instructions related to your medications or treatment.

Should I brush and floss after treatment?

Daily plaque control remains important. Your clinician will show you how to clean the treated areas and may recommend particular tools for the spaces between your teeth. Follow the instructions for your mouth, and contact us if bleeding or soreness makes cleaning difficult. Do not assume you should stop oral hygiene entirely.

How long will sensitivity last?

Sensitivity can occur when deposits are removed and root surfaces become more exposed. It may improve over days to weeks, although the course varies. Ask about suitable sensitivity products. Call if symptoms are severe, worsening, persistent, or associated with pain on biting so we can check the cause.

Why might my teeth look longer or gaps become more visible?

Inflamed gums are often swollen. As inflammation decreases, the tissue can shrink and reveal more root surface or spaces between teeth that were previously filled by swollen tissue. These changes may persist. We will discuss existing recession and tissue loss before treatment and assess any changes during follow-up.

Could my teeth feel loose after a deep cleaning?

Periodontitis can reduce the support around teeth. After deposits are removed, preexisting mobility may become more noticeable, and temporary changes can also occur. Tell us promptly about a tooth that feels newly loose or looser than before. We need to evaluate its support and bite rather than assume the feeling will resolve.

Will I need antibiotics or a prescription rinse?

Not everyone does. Mechanical cleaning and effective home care are central to treatment. Additional medication is chosen for a specific clinical reason after reviewing your health and other medicines. If anything is prescribed, ask what it is for and use it exactly as directed; do not use leftover antibiotics.

Do I need laser treatment as well?

Scaling and root planing is an established nonsurgical treatment on its own. Additional technology is not automatically necessary for every patient. If an additional treatment is proposed, ask about its expected benefit, supporting evidence, alternatives, and cost for your particular condition. A laser does not replace daily cleaning or maintenance visits.

Does scaling and root planing cure gum disease permanently?

It can help bring periodontal inflammation under control, but a history of periodontitis means you remain at risk for recurrence. The long-term plan usually includes professional maintenance, daily home care, and management of risk factors. A successful initial response does not mean you can discontinue follow-up.

Will it grow back the bone I have lost?

Scaling and root planing is intended to control disease and improve the environment around the teeth; it is not a promise to rebuild lost bone or gum tissue. Some defects may be candidates for regenerative treatment, which requires a separate assessment. Your clinician will explain what improvement is realistic.

Why do I need a reevaluation visit?

We need to see how your gums respond after healing, rather than judging success immediately after treatment. We compare bleeding, pocket measurements, and home care and discuss any remaining problem areas. Follow-up is generally planned after several weeks, with timing tailored to your treatment.

How is periodontal maintenance different, and how often will I need it?

Maintenance follows active periodontal treatment and focuses on keeping disease controlled, monitoring changes, and cleaning areas that remain vulnerable. Visits are often recommended at shorter intervals, commonly around three to four months for some patients. Your schedule may differ and is adjusted according to risk and stability.

Will insurance pay, and can I get an estimate first?

Ask our team for an estimate before treatment. Coverage varies by plan and may require gum measurements, X-rays, or other documentation. Deductibles, frequency limits, and annual maximums can affect payment. An estimate or benefit review is not a guarantee of insurer payment. We can also discuss payment options.

Does diabetes change the treatment plan?

Diabetes, particularly when blood sugar is not well controlled, can increase the risk and severity of periodontal disease and affect healing. Tell us about your diabetes care and medications. We may coordinate with your medical clinician and tailor treatment and follow-up. Periodontal care supports oral health and does not replace diabetes management.

Does smoking affect the results?

Tobacco use is a major risk factor for periodontal disease and can interfere with healing and treatment success. Tell us about smoking, vaping, or other tobacco or nicotine use so we can discuss your individual risks and support options. Treatment still needs ongoing home care and maintenance.

Can I receive scaling and root planing during pregnancy?

When needed, scaling and root planing is recognized as safe during pregnancy. Tell us that you are pregnant, your expected delivery date, and any medical concerns or medications. We can coordinate with your obstetric clinician when appropriate and plan positioning, comfort, imaging, and medication decisions for your needs.

What if I take blood thinners or have a significant medical condition?

Provide your complete medication and health history before treatment. Do not stop a blood thinner or other prescribed medicine on your own. Many patients can receive dental care without stopping these medicines, but bleeding risk and medical factors require an individualized plan. Any proposed medication change should be coordinated with the prescribing clinician.

Schedule a Gum Health Evaluation in Raleigh, NC

If you have bleeding gums, have been advised to have a deep cleaning, or want to understand your periodontal health, contact Russo Dentistry. We will explain the findings and help you plan appropriate care. Visit 3811 Ed Drive, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27612, or view our office location and contact details.

Book a Gum Health Evaluation Call 919-890-5147

Additional Patient Resources

Learn more from the American Dental Association’s scaling and root planing guide, the American Academy of Periodontology’s nonsurgical treatment overview, and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research’s gum disease information.