A form of deep gum cleaning, periodontal scaling treats gum disease at its source by removing plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins both above and below the gum line. In order to ensure that all disease-causing agents are eliminated, dentists generally clean down to the very bottom of the oral pocket of each tooth.
The scaling process may take more than one appointment to complete and is typically performed after the dentist administers a local anesthetic or anesthetic gel. This will allow for the thorough periodontal therapy with minimal if any discomfort to the patient. After the procedure, dentists will schedule a follow-up visit to watch over the healing process.