Can a General Dentist Perform Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)? Your Guide to Gum Disease Treatment

Scaling and root planing, often called “deep cleaning,” can sound scary if you’ve never had it before. You might wonder, “Can my regular dentist do this, or do I need a gum expert?” In this easy-to-understand guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—who can help, when you need it, what to expect, and how it keeps your gums healthy. Trust me, you’ll want to read this if you care about your smile, your comfort, and saving time and money at the dentist.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Why Should I Care About Scaling and Root Planing?

Let’s be honest—most people don’t think much about their gums until something hurts, bleeds, or feels loose. That’s when the dentist starts talking about gum disease and recommends something called scaling and root planing. If you’re reading this, I’d bet you want clear answers: Can your general dentist handle the job? Will it hurt? What exactly does deep cleaning mean? This article is for anyone who cares about saving their teeth, avoiding pain, and getting help from someone they trust.

Gum disease is no small problem. In fact, nearly half of American adults over 30 have some kind of it. If you do nothing, it can lead to bone loss, bad breath, and even losing teeth. The good news: early action, like SRP, can save your smile.

2. What Is Scaling and Root Planing (SRP)?

If regular dental cleaning is a gentle touch-up, think of scaling and root planing as a deep spring cleaning for your gums. SRP is not a regular polisher—it goes under the gumline.

Scaling removes sticky plaque and hard tartar from both above and below your gums. A normal cleaning usually just works above the gumline.

Root planing smooths out the root parts of your teeth. By removing bad stuff and making the roots smooth, it helps your gums hug your teeth again.

It sounds fancy, but it’s really all about stopping infection, letting gums heal, and protecting your teeth from falling out (nobody wants that!). For most people, SRP is a non-surgical fix—no cutting or stitches—just careful, deep cleaning by someone who knows what to do.

3. Why Would I Need a Deep Cleaning?

You’ve probably heard warnings about brushing and flossing, but what happens if you slip up? Over time, plaque and tartar get sneaky and hide under your gums. Here’s what can go wrong:

• Gingivitis: Your gums get red, swollen, and bleed easily. This is the first stage, and yes, you can still fix things.
• Periodontitis: If gingivitis isn’t fixed, it can get serious. The gums pull away from your teeth, forming spaces where bad germs grow. This leads to bone loss and even teeth that move.

If you notice signs like bleeding gums, bad breath that won’t go away, or wiggly teeth, your dentist might suggest SRP. It’s not about looks—it’s about health. The goal is to keep your natural teeth and gums strong for life.

4. Can My General Dentist Really Do SRP?

This is the big question! The quick answer: Yes, a general dentist can do scaling and root planing in most cases.

General dentists are trained and allowed to spot and treat mild to medium gum disease. In fact, studies and dental groups say that about 80-90% of deep cleanings are done in regular dental offices, not with specialists.

General dentists, like mine or maybe yours, spend a lot of time learning about gum disease, mouth health, and cleaning methods. They have to keep learning new things through extra classes. When you visit your local dentist, he or she can spot problems, measure pocket depths, and say if SRP is a good idea.

From my visits, I can tell you—whether it’s the dentist or a skilled dental hygienist, they know what to look for and how to help. Sometimes, general dentists also use new tools, like those from a digital dental lab, to help keep your teeth super clean and your crowns fitting well if you need them.

5. When Should I See a Periodontist Instead?

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Periodontists are gum experts—they train extra years and mostly help with tough or strange cases.

A general dentist will gladly help with mild or medium gum disease (that’s most people). But sometimes you really do need a specialist. For example:

• If you have advanced periodontitis (really deep spaces, lots of bone loss).
• If you’ve had SRP before but your gums didn’t get better.
• If your gum disease is moving fast, or in hard-to-reach spots.
• If you have health problems like uncontrolled diabetes or need special care.

Your dentist might send you to a periodontist for special tests, surgery, or fixes like gum grafts or dental implants. Think of a periodontist as a hero for bad gum problems. Your dentist won’t wait to refer you if that’s what you need.

6. What Happens During Scaling and Root Planing?

Let’s walk through what happens before, during, and after a deep cleaning.

Check-up: First, your dentist will check your whole mouth. This includes checking your gums, measuring pocket depths with a probe, and sometimes taking X-rays. This helps find where the problems are.

Numbing the Area: Most of the time, your mouth is numbed—so you won’t feel pain, just some pushing and moving.

Scaling: The dentist or hygienist uses special tools—hand scalers, vibrating scalers, and curettes—to gently pull off plaque and tartar from above and below your gums.

Root Planing: Next, they smooth out the root parts. This gets rid of rough spots where germs love to hide and helps the gums stick back to your teeth.

How Long Does It Take? Usually, deep cleaning is done in two visits (one side at a time). Each visit may take about an hour, depending on how many teeth need care.

Aftercare: Your gums might be a bit sore or sensitive for a few days. You’ll get simple tips: gentle brushing, maybe a special mouth rinse, and advice for keeping everything clean as your gums heal.

From my own experience and from hearing Dr. Joe Dental—an expert who checks lots of dental treatments—it’s not as bad as it sounds. Most people say it’s more relaxed than they thought, especially with numbing.

7. How Much Does Deep Cleaning Cost? Does My Insurance Help?

Money is important, so let’s talk prices. The cost of scaling and root planing depends on how many “quadrants” (parts of your mouth) need cleaning, where you live, and if you see a general dentist or a specialist.

• General dentist: Usually less money, and most dental insurances cover a big part of the cost for SRP.
• Periodontist: Costs might be a bit more, but sometimes needed for worse problems.

Call your dental office and your insurance to check coverage. Ask for a cost guess before the work starts. Early deep cleaning is much cheaper than fixing missing teeth later—trust me!

Sometimes your dentist may work with a good crown and bridge lab if gum disease has already hurt your teeth. Catching things early means less fixing later on.

8. What Should I Do After My Deep Cleaning?

After SRP, your gums need a little extra care. Here’s what usually happens, and how you can help yourself heal:

• Mild soreness or tenderness: This is normal. Use a soft toothbrush and do what your dentist says about mouth rinse or pain meds.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold: It goes away for most people.
• Maybe a little bleeding: Should stop in a few days.
• Keep it clean: Gentle brushing and flossing help gums heal faster.
• Eat soft foods: At least for a day or two.

The most important part? Go to your follow-up visits! Your dentist will check for healing, clean any left-over spots, and check the gum spaces are smaller.

If you skip treatment, gum disease can sneak back. That’s why most people get put on a periodontal maintenance program—a regular “check and clean” visit every 3-4 months.

9. How Do I Keep My Gums Healthy?

“Prevention is better than cure”—you’ve heard it before, and it’s super true here. After SRP, or even if you’ve never needed it, here are some golden rules (straight from dentists and experts):

If you ever need new crowns, bridges, or false teeth to fix your smile, find dental pros who work with great labs, like a china dental lab that uses good materials. Keeping your mouth healthy is truly a team job!

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is scaling and root planing painful?

Most people feel little to no pain during the work because they are numbed. Some soreness is common later, but regular pain pills help.

Q: How long does the procedure take?

Usually, SRP is split into two sessions, each about an hour. Your dentist will let you know what to expect.

Q: How is this different from a regular cleaning?

SRP cleans below the gumline and smooths root parts—much deeper than a regular cleaning, which only works on the top.

Q: How often do I need deep cleaning?

With good home care and regular dentist visits, SRP is not needed often. Afterward, you’ll probably start a maintenance routine every 3 or 4 months.

Q: Can gum disease be cured?

Caught early (gingivitis), yes. More serious (periodontitis)? It can be controlled and stopped from getting worse—but you need to keep up care.

Q: What happens if I skip deep cleaning when it’s needed?

Ignoring gum disease lets it get worse, which can lead to lost teeth, bad breath, and even problems with your heart or diabetes.

11. Key Takeaways: The Most Important Things to Remember

• General dentists can do scaling and root planing for most people with simple gum disease.
• SRP is a deep cleaning that fixes the main problem.
• Gum disease is very common but can be managed if you act early.
• See a periodontist only if your case is bad or needs special work.
• Regular dentist visits keep your gums healthy and your smile bright.
• Don’t ignore signs like bleeding gums or receding gums—act soon.
• Insurance often covers deep cleaning—but check before you start.
• Keeping healthy gums takes life-long effort with help from your dentist, hygienist, and sometimes the right dental lab folks.
• Listening to aftercare and coming back for future cleanings helps keep your gums in good shape.
• Healthy gums mean a healthy you—and a smile you can be proud of!

Reviewed by Dr. Joe Dental, DDS, member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology.

For quality dental fixes, clinics often team up with trusted dental labs specializing in crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants to make sure your gum treatments last and your smile really shines.