Scaling & Root Planing in Chicago, IL
When gum disease sets in, scaling and root planing is the most effective non-surgical way to turn it around. Most people know it as a "deep cleaning." At Dr. Raffi General & Implant Dentistry, Dr. Raffi uses the procedure to clear tartar, bacteria, and toxins from below the gum line, giving inflamed gums the chance to heal and reattach to the teeth. As the first line of defense against periodontal disease, it can often head off the need for surgery altogether.
What it is
This deep cleaning is non-surgical. It clears calculus (tartar), plaque, and bacterial toxins from both above and below the gum line, then smooths the tooth roots to help the gums reattach.
Who it's for
It is for patients diagnosed with gum disease, either gingivitis or periodontitis, when inflamed gums, deep pockets, or tartar buildup have gone past what a regular cleaning can handle.
How we help
We read your pocket depths thoroughly, carry out the treatment gently but effectively under local anesthesia, and follow up to monitor healing and prevent the disease from progressing.
A deep cleaning is the first move toward stopping gum disease. Book your evaluation today.
How the Procedure Works
- Numbing: Local anesthetic ensures you're comfortable throughout the procedure
- Scaling: Special instruments remove calculus (tartar) and plaque from above and below the gum line
- Root planing: Tooth root surfaces are smoothed to eliminate rough areas where bacteria collect
- Irrigation: An antimicrobial rinse may be used below the gums to reduce bacterial count
- Antibiotic therapy: Dr. Raffi may place antibiotic medication in deep pockets to promote faster healing
- The procedure may be completed in one or two appointments depending on severity
Benefits of Scaling & Root Planing
- Systemic health: Oral bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream. Research links periodontal disease to heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions
- Reduced inflammation: Eliminating bacteria from deep pockets allows gums to heal and tighten around the teeth
- Stop bleeding gums: Healthy gums don't bleed, and treatment addresses the root cause of gum bleeding
- Better breath: Persistent bad breath (halitosis) is often caused by bacteria in deep pockets, and treatment eliminates it
- Cosmetic improvement: Surface stains are removed during scaling, leaving teeth visibly cleaner and brighter
- Prevent tooth loss: Treating gum disease early prevents the bone loss that leads to loose teeth
After Your Deep Cleaning
- Dr. Raffi recommends returning 4–6 weeks after treatment for a follow-up evaluation
- Gum pocket depths are re-measured to assess healing progress
- If pockets have not improved to expected levels, additional treatment options will be discussed
- Most patients transition to periodontal maintenance appointments every 3–4 months
- Good home care between visits is essential, so brush twice daily and floss every night
- Without regular maintenance, gum disease will return
Gum disease will not clear up on its own. A deep cleaning stops it before the damage becomes permanent.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Visit Steps
- Evaluation: Dr. Raffi measures pocket depths around each tooth to determine the extent of disease
- Treatment plan: You receive a clear explanation of the findings and recommended treatment
- Procedure: The area is numbed and the deep cleaning is performed, and most patients report minimal discomfort
- Post-care: You receive instructions for home care during the healing period
- Follow-up: A re-evaluation appointment is scheduled 4–6 weeks later
Helpful Tips
- Some gum tenderness and sensitivity is normal for a few days after treatment
- Avoid hot or spicy foods for 24 hours after the procedure
- Rinse gently with warm salt water to soothe the gums
- Continue brushing and flossing, gently but thoroughly
- Attend all follow-up and maintenance appointments to keep gum disease under control
- Do not smoke, because tobacco significantly impairs gum healing
Frequently Asked Questions
The two cleanings serve very different purposes. A regular cleaning, called a prophylaxis, clears plaque and tartar from at and just above the gum line. It is preventive care meant to keep already-healthy gums healthy.
A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, works below the gum line, removing tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces where a routine cleaning cannot reach. That makes it a therapeutic treatment: it is done to treat active gum disease, not simply to maintain a healthy mouth.
You should not feel pain during the procedure. Scaling and root planing is performed under local anesthesia, so the treatment area stays numb and comfortable from start to finish.
Afterward, some patients notice mild soreness or sensitivity for a few days, which is easy to manage with over-the-counter relief and usually fades quickly. In fact, many people tell us the experience was far gentler than they had braced for.
Scaling and root planing generally takes one to two appointments, with each running about 45 to 60 minutes. How the treatment is divided depends on how much tartar has accumulated and how many areas need attention.
Dr. Raffi will map out the right plan for your mouth and let you know what to expect at your evaluation. We provide scaling and root planing at our Chicago and Bourbonnais, IL offices and will schedule your visits around what works for you.
After a successful round of scaling and root planing, most patients shift into periodontal maintenance cleanings every three to four months rather than repeating the full deep cleaning. These maintenance visits go deeper than a routine cleaning and are what keep gum disease from creeping back.
Skip that ongoing care, though, and the disease tends to return. Consistent maintenance at our Chicago and Bourbonnais, IL offices is what protects the results of your initial treatment over time.
Gum disease can be brought firmly under control, but not entirely cured. Once the supporting bone around a tooth has been lost, it does not grow back on its own, so the damage already done cannot simply be reversed.
What scaling and root planing does is stop the disease process in its tracks and prevent further destruction. Paired with ongoing maintenance, it keeps periodontal disease stable and quiet for the long term, which is the realistic and achievable goal.
Left untreated, gum disease does not stand still. It is a progressive condition, and skipping the deep cleaning it calls for allows it to keep advancing along a fairly predictable path:
- Pockets around the teeth deepen
- More of the supporting bone is lost
- Teeth loosen as their foundation erodes
- Tooth loss eventually follows
Advanced cases can reach the point of needing surgical treatment. Stepping in early with scaling and root planing is far simpler, more comfortable, and more affordable than waiting.
A healthy smile is built on healthy gums. Book your deep cleaning evaluation today.
Visit Dr. Raffi General & Implant Dentistry
Chicago Office
6215 W Touhy Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
Bourbonnais Office
876 N Convent St
Bourbonnais, IL 60914