Periodontal treatment

Deep cleaning or regular cleaning: why are they different?

Periodontal pockets are spaces between teeth and gums that can deepen with disease. Scaling removes deposits, while root planing addresses the root surfaces below the gums. The procedure may require local anesthesia and more than one visit. Ask the dentist to show the affected areas and explain how they differ from sites that need routine cleaning.

The evaluation should consider the supporting tissues, bleeding, and any bone changes. Gum disease can progress beyond inflamed gums to damage the structures holding teeth in place. The proposed treatment therefore needs a diagnosis and a follow-up plan, not simply a description of how much tartar is visible.

Before agreeing to treatment, ask which parts of the mouth will be treated, whether numbing is planned, and when healing will be reassessed. Request a written estimate distinguishing the initial treatment from later maintenance. If you expected a routine cleaning, ask the office to explain the change in recommendation before proceeding. Johns Creek Family Dentistry lists periodontal treatment and management; your consultation should establish the level of care appropriate to the findings in your own mouth.

This is general information, not medical advice; candidacy is determined by a dental provider.