A standard dental cleaning, sometimes called prophylaxis, and a deep cleaning are fundamentally different treatments that address distinct stages of gum health. The terms “periodontal cleaning” and “deep cleaning” are often used interchangeably, leading to widespread confusion about the necessary procedure. The correct treatment depends on a thorough examination of your gum tissue and the presence or absence of active gum disease. Understanding the purpose and scope of each cleaning is important for maintaining long-term oral health.
Standard Cleaning (Dental Prophylaxis)
The standard cleaning, formally known as dental prophylaxis, is a preventative measure for patients who have generally healthy gums. This procedure is designed to remove plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) from the surfaces of the teeth and above the gum line. Even with diligent brushing and flossing at home, professional intervention is necessary to eliminate all accumulated deposits that can lead to disease.
During a prophylaxis appointment, the dental hygienist focuses primarily on supragingival cleaning, meaning the area visible above the gum tissue. Measurements of the gum pockets, the small spaces between the tooth and the gum, are typically taken and should be 4 millimeters or less in a healthy mouth. This routine cleaning helps prevent the onset of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease characterized by inflammation and bleeding. For most individuals, this preventative cleaning is recommended on a schedule of every six months.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
A deep cleaning is a therapeutic procedure called Scaling and Root Planing (SRP). It is necessary to treat active periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease, and is often what people mean by the colloquial term “periodontal cleaning.” The need for SRP is confirmed when the gum pockets have deepened to 5 millimeters or more, indicating the infection has progressed below the gum line and started affecting the supporting bone.
The procedure is divided into two parts: scaling and root planing, which are often performed under local anesthesia. Scaling involves carefully removing bacterial plaque and calculus from above and below the gum line, down to the base of the periodontal pocket. Root planing then smooths the root surfaces, removing irregularities and toxins that harbor bacteria. This smoothing encourages the gum tissue to reattach to the cleaned root surface, which reduces the depth of the pockets. Since the procedure is more invasive than a standard cleaning, it is often broken up into two or four separate appointments, typically treating one quadrant of the mouth at a time.
Continuing Care After Deep Cleaning
Once an individual has undergone Scaling and Root Planing, they are considered a periodontal patient, and their ongoing care transitions from prevention to disease management. The standard six-month cleaning is no longer appropriate; instead, these patients require a specialized follow-up procedure called Periodontal Maintenance. This therapeutic maintenance is designed to monitor and control the chronic nature of periodontitis to prevent the infection from recurring.
The frequency of these maintenance appointments is significantly increased, typically occurring every three to four months, because harmful bacteria can rapidly repopulate the deep pockets. Periodontal maintenance appointments involve a deeper cleaning than prophylaxis, focusing on the careful removal of subgingival deposits and the continuous monitoring of pocket depths and gum attachment. This diligent, frequent schedule helps stabilize the patient’s condition and is essential for preventing further bone loss and potential tooth loss. The customized interval is determined by the dental professional based on the severity of the initial disease and the patient’s response to treatment.