• Our Practice
  • Categories
    • Oral Health = Whole Body Health
    • Common Dental Issues & Procedures
    • Consumer Guides & Information
    • Cosmetic Dentistry & Teeth Whitening
    • Implant Dentistry
    • News/PR
    • Orthodontics, Braces, & Invisalign
    • Pediatric Dentistry & Children
    • Uncategorized
  • Book An Appointment
LOOKING FOR A GREAT DENTIST IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA? START HERE!
1st Family Dental Blog1st Family Dental Blog
  • Our Practice
  • Categories
    • Oral Health = Whole Body Health
    • Common Dental Issues & Procedures
    • Consumer Guides & Information
    • Cosmetic Dentistry & Teeth Whitening
    • Implant Dentistry
    • News/PR
    • Orthodontics, Braces, & Invisalign
    • Pediatric Dentistry & Children
    • Uncategorized
  • Book An Appointment

Dental Deep Cleaning & Periodontal Maintenance

Home Common Dental Issues & ProceduresDental Deep Cleaning & Periodontal Maintenance
Dental Deep Cleaning & Periodontal Maintenance

Dental Deep Cleaning & Periodontal Maintenance

August 8, 2014 Common Dental Issues & Procedures, Oral Health = Whole Body Health
FacebookTwitter

In need of a dental deep cleaning? If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, know that you are not alone. According to the CDC, more than 64 million adults in the U.S. are living with, or have had gum disease. Gum disease is treatable, curable and preventable. Learn more about the different types of gum disease, as well as symptoms and recommendations for prevention.

Diagnosing Gum Disease

Gum disease is diagnosed when probing reveals one or more periodontal pockets, or areas where the gum has pulled away from the tooth, 4 millimeters deep or greater. In some cases, only one quadrant, or quarter of the mouth, may be affected. In other cases, the affected areas may span throughout the entire mouth.

Gum disease can be caused by a lack of consistent and proper brushing and flossing, long periods of time between regular professional dental cleanings, and other known conditions such as diabetes. Women who are pregnant may also experience temporary bouts of inflammation and gum disease which should be monitored by a dentist.

In most cases, gum disease can be treated at any 1st Family Dental location using a treatment called scaling and root planing, which is also known as a deep cleaning. However, a referral to a periodontal specialist may be required to treat more advanced cases.

Scaling & Root Planing (Deep Cleaning) versus Regular Cleaning

Scaling and Root Planing, also known as a dental deep cleaning, is very different from a regular cleaning. A regular cleaning focuses on the surfaces of the teeth and between teeth above the gum line. During a regular cleaning, the teeth are also polished.

A dental deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, is needed in order to remove bacteria, calculus (tartar), and debris that has collected under the gum line.

The presence of calculus under the gumline creates a safe haven for bacteria to collect, and cannot be removed by brushing, flossing or with a regular cleaning. The presence of this bacteria causes an immune response from the body. This immune response results in inflammation, to fight the bacterial infection.  If left untreated, the infection and inflammation will continue and progress further under the gum line, resulting in loose teeth and bone loss, and ultimately, the loss of one or more teeth.

Scaling & Root Planing (Deep Cleaning) Regular Dental Cleaning
Local Anesthetic (numbing) Required X
Calculus, plaque, and debris removed at and above the gum line X
Calculus, plaque, bacteria and debris removed below the gum line X
Antibiotics prescribed for healing X
Root of tooth smoothed and shaped to remove bacteria X

Scaling & Root Planing Procedure

Scaling and Root Planing can be performed on one or two quadrants (quarter) of the mouth at a time, or the entire mouth can be treated in one visit, depending upon the diagnosis and recommendation of your dentist.

During the visit, your dentist or hygienist will typically numb area to be treated. Next, your dental professional will carefully work under the gum line to clean away the calculus and debris. After this, your dentist will carefully shape, or plane, the root of the tooth, to remove places where bacteria can collect in the future. Your dentist or hygienist may also provide recommendations and demonstrations.

Recovery from a scaling and root planing is typically simple. Your dentist will usually prescribe an antibiotic regimen for you to follow, and may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever if you are experiencing any discomfort. or tenderness in the treatment area. Your dentist will provide you with after care instructions, and confirm with you when you should be able to resume a regular oral hygiene routine, including regular brushing and flossing.

Your dentist may recommend you return for a checkup visit to make sure everything is healing well.

Gum disease can be treated and often cured, but may require regular ‘maintenance’ visits, usually every 3 months in the beginning, to monitor the status of your teeth, gums and bone to make sure your gums have healed and the bacteria has not returned. Some individuals who may be predisposed to having gum disease may need to return for regular periodontal maintenance cleanings, and others may be able to return to a regular hygiene routine and 6-month dental checkup visits.

Share

You also might be interested in

1st Family Dental Does The Harlem Shake!

Feb 27, 2013

FacebookTwitter Who says going to the dentist can’t be fun?[...]

Patient Undergoing a Procedure

Highlights from our Free Dental Care Days in the Suburbs

Mar 11, 2013

FacebookTwitter 1st Family Dental gave patients an extra reason to[...]

Free Dental Care Day at 1st Family Dental of Logan Square

Mar 14, 2013

FacebookTwitter On Wednesday, March 13, 1st Family Dental hosted its[...]

9 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Chatita
    · Reply

    July 27, 2018 at 11:13 AM

    My dentist charged me $140.00. My insurance pays 50% of the cost, so that means the procedure in total was $280.00…

  • HLM
    · Reply

    July 23, 2018 at 10:23 AM

    Free through MediCal

    • See
      · Reply

      September 19, 2018 at 1:27 AM

      I have medical and they told me that medical only covers for the cleaning itself but for the paste that they have to use for my gum isn’t covered. Told me it was going to cost me like 2 grand for it. Wth???

    • See
      · Reply

      September 19, 2018 at 1:29 AM

      The dental wasn’t from this place, was at a different place

  • Amita Mansukhani
    · Reply

    May 22, 2018 at 5:18 PM

    How much does a deep cleaning cost? I do not have insurance. So what would be the discounted price?

    • Toni Cosman
      · Reply

      May 31, 2018 at 11:03 AM

      I was just told $900.

      • Justin Clyburn
        · Reply

        July 12, 2018 at 12:13 PM

        I just had it done today…roughly 500 per side and insurance covered 1/2 (based on my specific insurance).

      • Lu
        · Reply

        October 20, 2018 at 6:43 AM

        I am paying 900$ even with insurance. My insurance doesn’t cover the procedure.

  • Nagamani Botu
    · Reply

    April 22, 2018 at 9:40 AM

    How much deep cleaning cost? i have already taken xrays, i need only deep cleaning, i want to know the cost, if its in my budget i ll visit you, Please provide me quote and your office address, phone numbers.

Leave a Reply

Comment
Cancel Reply

blog.1stamilydental

1st Family Dental offers a full range of general, specialty dental and orthodontic services for the whole family. With online appointment booking and several convenient locations in and around Chicago IL, taking care of your dental health needs for you and your family couldn’t be easier.

OUR CHICAGO DENTAL CLINICS

Albany Park
Andersonville
Little Village
Logan Square
Old Town
Pulaski Ave.

OUR SUBURBAN DENTAL CLINICS

View our locations in the Chicago, IL Suburbs here

For Press Inquiries

Please contact:
Vicky Khawaja
vicky@1fd.org
(773) 294-0378

All logos, text, and images subject to terms of use and privacy policy. Click Here to download our logo.

1st Family Dental © 2025 · Privacy Policy · Internet Marketing Services by Conversion Strategies, Inc.

Prev Next