Non-Surgical Deep Cleaning for
Healthier Gums and a Healthier Smile
Healthy Gums. A Stronger Foundation for Your Smile.
If you've noticed bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, or early signs of gum disease, prompt treatment can help protect your teeth and restore your oral health.
Scaling and root planing is a gentle, non-surgical deep cleaning that removes harmful bacteria from below the gumline to help stop gum disease, reduce inflammation, protect your teeth, and restore healthier gums. At the office of Marielaina Perrone, DDS, treatment is personalized to help you regain a healthier smile in a comfortable, supportive environment.
"Healthy gums are the foundation of every beautiful smile. Treating gum disease early protects not only your smile today, but your confidence and oral health for years to come."
— Marielaina Perrone, DDS
What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing (often called a deep dental cleaning) is a non-surgical periodontal treatment that removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from beneath the gumline while smoothing the root surfaces of the teeth.
By eliminating the bacteria that contribute to gum disease, this treatment helps reduce inflammation, encourage gum reattachment, and slow the progression of periodontal disease before more advanced treatment becomes necessary.
Could You Benefit from a
Deep Cleaning?
Scaling and root planing may be recommended if you have:
- Bleeding, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums
- Deep periodontal pockets
- Gum sensitivity
- Tartar buildup below the gumline
Following a comprehensive periodontal evaluation, Dr. Perrone will determine whether deep cleaning is the most appropriate treatment for restoring your gum health.
Gentle Care. Lasting Results.
Treatment may include:
• Comprehensive periodontal examination
• Digital X-rays and gum measurements
• Scaling to remove plaque and tartar
• Root planing to smooth root surfaces
• Local anesthetic when appropriate
• Personalized home-care instructions
• Periodontal maintenance recommendations
The goal is simple: reduce infection, protect your teeth, and help restore healthier gums for the future.
Do You Need Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical deep cleaning used to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline. Open each section to understand the warning signs, what treatment involves, and how it helps protect your teeth.
1. What Is Scaling and Root Planing?A deep cleaning below the gumline
Scaling removes plaque and hardened tartar from above and below the gums. Root planing smooths the tooth roots so bacteria have fewer rough surfaces to collect on and the surrounding tissues can begin to heal.
✓ Non-surgical periodontal treatment
✓ Removes bacteria beneath the gums
✓ Smooths contaminated root surfaces
✓ Helps reduce inflammation
“Healthy gums are the foundation of every beautiful smile.”
— Marielaina Perrone, DDS
2. How Is It Different From a Regular Cleaning?The depth and purpose are different
A routine cleaning focuses mainly on plaque and tartar above the gumline. Scaling and root planing reaches deeper periodontal pockets where deposits cannot be removed with ordinary home care or a standard preventive cleaning.
✓ Routine cleaning: preventive care
✓ Deep cleaning: treatment for periodontal disease
✓ Reaches below the gumline
✓ Local anesthetic may be used for comfort
3. Which Symptoms May Mean You Need a Deep Cleaning?Gum disease is often painless
Many patients do not realize periodontal disease is developing until bleeding, recession, bad breath, or tenderness becomes noticeable.
✓ Bleeding gums
✓ Swollen or tender gums
✓ Persistent bad breath
✓ Gum recession
✓ Deep periodontal pockets
✓ Tartar below the gums
4. How Is the Need for Treatment Diagnosed?A complete periodontal evaluation comes first
Dr. Perrone evaluates the gums, measures periodontal pockets, reviews digital X-rays, and looks for bleeding, recession, tartar, and bone loss before recommending treatment.
✓ Visual gum examination
✓ Periodontal pocket measurements
✓ Digital X-rays
✓ Evaluation of bone support
✓ Review of medical and dental history
5. What Happens During the Appointment?Treatment is personalized for comfort
The teeth and roots are cleaned carefully using specialized instruments. Depending on the extent of disease, one area, one side, or the entire mouth may be treated over one or more appointments.
✓ Local anesthetic when appropriate
✓ Removal of plaque and tartar
✓ Cleaning beneath the gumline
✓ Smoothing of root surfaces
✓ Personalized home-care instructions
6. Does Scaling and Root Planing Hurt?Comfort can be managed effectively
The gums may already be tender before treatment, but local anesthetic can numb the area. Mild soreness, sensitivity, or tenderness may occur afterward and usually improves over several days.
✓ Local anesthetic may be used
✓ Pressure may be felt during cleaning
✓ Mild post-treatment tenderness is common
✓ Sensitivity should gradually improve
7. What Should You Expect After Treatment?Healing happens gradually
As inflammation decreases, bleeding and swelling often improve. The gums may feel firmer and fit more closely around the teeth, although existing recession or bone loss may not reverse.
✓ Less bleeding
✓ Reduced swelling
✓ Fresher breath
✓ Improved gum firmness
✓ Temporary sensitivity is possible
8. Can Deep Cleaning Cure Gum Disease?It can control disease—but maintenance matters
Scaling and root planing is often highly effective for early to moderate periodontal disease, but periodontitis is a chronic condition. Long-term success depends on home care and ongoing periodontal maintenance.
✓ Reduces bacterial infection
✓ Helps control inflammation
✓ May stabilize periodontal pockets
✓ Cannot regrow all lost bone or gum tissue
✓ Requires continued monitoring
9. Why Is Periodontal Maintenance Different?Maintenance helps prevent recurrence
After treatment, many patients need periodontal maintenance more frequently than routine six-month cleanings because bacteria can recolonize deeper areas.
✓ Often recommended every 3–4 months
✓ Monitors pocket depth and bleeding
✓ Removes new bacterial buildup
✓ Helps protect bone and tooth support
10. What Can Happen If Gum Disease Is Left Untreated?The damage may progress quietly
Untreated periodontal disease can destroy the bone and connective tissues supporting the teeth, even when pain is minimal.
⚠ Increasing gum recession
⚠ Bone loss
⚠ Loose or shifting teeth
⚠ Difficulty chewing
⚠ Tooth loss
11. How Can You Support Healing at Home?Daily plaque control protects the results
Following personalized instructions helps reduce bacteria and gives the gums the best opportunity to heal.
✓ Brush gently twice daily
✓ Clean between teeth every day
✓ Use recommended rinses or products
✓ Avoid tobacco
✓ Keep scheduled maintenance visits
12. Is Scaling and Root Planing Right for You?The decision depends on your periodontal findings
Deep cleaning may be appropriate when bacteria and tartar have accumulated beneath the gums and signs of periodontal disease are present. A comprehensive evaluation is the only way to determine whether it is necessary.
✓ Bleeding or swollen gums
✓ Deep pockets
✓ Tartar beneath the gums
✓ Early bone loss
✓ History of periodontal disease
“Treating gum disease early can protect your teeth, your comfort, and your smile for years to come.”
— Marielaina Perrone, DDS
Educational Note
This guide is educational and cannot determine whether you need scaling and root planing. Diagnosis requires a periodontal examination, gum measurements, and appropriate dental X-rays.
Healthy Gums Support a Healthy Smile
Treating gum disease early helps protect far more than your smile.
Healthy gums provide the foundation for strong teeth, comfortable chewing, fresher breath, and long-term oral health. Early periodontal treatment may also reduce the risk of more advanced gum disease and tooth loss.
Nearly half of adults over age 30 have some form of gum disease. Early treatment can often prevent permanent damage.
Serving Henderson, Las Vegas,
& Southern Nevada
Conveniently located in Green Valley, Marielaina Perrone, DDS proudly provides periodontal care for patients throughout Henderson, Las Vegas, Green Valley, Summerlin, Anthem, Seven Hills, Boulder City, and surrounding Southern Nevada communities.
Restore Your Gum Health with Confidence
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile.
If you've been told you need scaling and root planing. Or you are experiencing bleeding gums, gum recession, or other signs of gum disease. Marielaina Perrone, DDS is here to provide gentle, personalized periodontal care.