A deep cleaning, formally known as Scaling and Root Planing (SRP), is a non-surgical procedure designed to treat periodontal disease (gum infection). Unlike a standard cleaning that focuses on removing plaque and calculus (tartar) above the gumline, SRP reaches into the periodontal pockets that form when gums pull away from the teeth. This treatment removes bacterial deposits below the gum tissue and smooths the tooth roots to encourage reattachment. A single deep cleaning appointment typically lasts between 45 and 90 minutes, but the entire mouth is rarely completed in one session due to the intensity of the work.
Defining the Appointment Duration
A full deep cleaning treatment is usually completed over a series of appointments to ensure thoroughness and manage the gum infection. To maximize patient comfort and manage the procedure effectively, the dental team divides the mouth into four quadrants: upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left.
Splitting the treatment into quadrants ensures the clinician can dedicate sufficient time to meticulously clean each tooth root surface. This method also allows for the application of local anesthesia to only one side of the mouth at a time. The total number of sessions for a full mouth deep cleaning usually ranges from two to four appointments.
Most commonly, the treatment plan involves two appointments, often scheduled one to two weeks apart, to clean two quadrants (one side of the mouth) at each visit. This time interval allows the first treated side to begin healing before the second side is addressed. The overall commitment, from the first appointment to the completion of the active cleaning phase, is often spread across several weeks.
The Procedure Flow During the Session
The deep cleaning session begins with the administration of a local anesthetic directly into the gum tissue surrounding the teeth to be treated. Numbing the area is standard practice because instruments must reach several millimeters below the gumline to access the infected root surfaces. While the injection may cause a brief pinch, the anesthetic ensures the patient remains comfortable throughout the mechanical work.
The first step is scaling, which involves the meticulous removal of hardened plaque and calculus from the tooth crown and the root surface within the periodontal pocket. The clinician uses specialized tools, including ultrasonic scalers that use high-frequency vibrations and a water spray to dislodge large deposits. Handheld instruments, like curettes, are then used to ensure complete removal of deposits from the deepest parts of the pocket.
Following scaling, root planing is performed using the same specialized hand instruments. This step involves carefully smoothing the root surface to eliminate microscopic irregularities or rough spots. Creating a polished root surface makes it more difficult for bacteria to colonize and promotes the reattachment of the gum tissue to the tooth.
Key Variables Affecting Treatment Time
The actual duration of a single deep cleaning appointment is not static and is significantly influenced by patient-specific and clinical factors. The most impactful variable is the severity of the periodontal disease, measured by the depth of the periodontal pockets and the volume of calculus buildup. Deeper pockets and extensive deposits require more time for the hygienist to reach and remove.
The use of local anesthesia, while promoting comfort, adds preparatory time to the appointment. A patient’s level of comfort and cooperation can necessitate breaks, which may extend the session beyond the estimated time. Common reasons for these interruptions include patient anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or difficulty keeping the mouth open.
A dental professional may also incorporate supplemental treatments that lengthen the appointment time but improve the clinical outcome. For instance, an antibiotic gel or chip may be applied directly into the cleaned periodontal pockets following SRP. This step provides an extended, targeted release of medication to help sterilize the area and aid in gum tissue healing.
Immediate Post-Procedure Expectations
Immediately after the deep cleaning, patients should expect the effects of the local anesthetic to linger for several hours, causing numbness in the lips, tongue, and cheek. Patients must avoid chewing food until sensation has fully returned to prevent accidentally biting the soft tissues. Tenderness and mild swelling of the gums are common as the tissue begins to heal.
Patients should consume a soft diet for the first few days, focusing on foods like mashed potatoes, soup, eggs, and pasta. They should avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky items such as nuts or popcorn, as these can irritate the healing gum tissue or become lodged in the cleaned pockets. Warm salt water rinses are often suggested to soothe the gums and encourage healing.
The deep cleaning procedure requires a follow-up to evaluate its success. A re-evaluation appointment is typically scheduled four to six weeks after the completion of the final session. This time frame allows inflammation to resolve and gum tissue to heal, enabling the clinician to accurately measure new pocket depths and determine the next steps for long-term periodontal health management.