Scaling and Root Planing (SRP), commonly called “deep cleaning,” is a specialized, non-surgical dental procedure. This therapeutic treatment manages a specific disease process affecting the gums and the underlying structures supporting the teeth. SRP is designed to restore gum health.
What SRP Means in Dentistry
The term SRP stands for Scaling and Root Planing, a two-part, intensive cleaning process. This procedure is distinct from a standard dental cleaning (prophylaxis), which is a preventive measure focused on removing plaque and calculus (tartar) from the visible surfaces of the teeth.
SRP is a therapeutic treatment that targets buildup both above and below the gum line, extending down to the root surface. It is performed when bacteria and calculus accumulate in the space between the tooth and gum, a region standard cleaning cannot reach. This deeper cleaning is necessary because bacteria residing on the root surfaces can lead to inflammation and progressive bone loss.
When Deep Cleaning Becomes Necessary
The need for SRP is determined by the progression of gum disease, specifically periodontitis. Gum disease begins as gingivitis, but progresses when infection damages the tissue and bone holding the teeth in place. This destruction causes the gum tissue to pull away from the tooth, forming deepened spaces called periodontal pockets.
The primary indicator for SRP is the measurement of these pockets in millimeters during a dental examination. Healthy gum tissue typically has pocket depths of three millimeters or less. When a professional measures multiple pockets of four millimeters or more, it suggests significant bacterial colonization and calculus buildup below the gum line, often accompanied by bone loss visible on X-rays. SRP is the first line of non-surgical treatment for moderate chronic periodontitis, aiming to eliminate the infection and prevent further deterioration.
How the Procedure is Performed
The SRP procedure is executed in two sequential phases to thoroughly clean the tooth structure below the gum line. Local anesthesia is typically administered to ensure comfort during this deep treatment. The mouth is often divided into quadrants, with the procedure completed over one or more appointments depending on the condition’s severity.
The first phase is scaling, which involves the meticulous removal of plaque and calculus deposits from the crown and the entire root surface within the periodontal pocket. Specialized instruments, including ultrasonic scalers and manual hand instruments, are used to scrape away these hardened deposits. Once scaling is complete, the second phase, root planing, begins.
Root planing involves smoothing the rough surfaces of the tooth root. Smoothing these rough spots creates a clean, polished surface, making it harder for bacteria to adhere and re-accumulate. This process also removes bacterial toxins embedded in the root surface, encouraging the gum tissue to reattach more firmly and reducing the depth of the periodontal pockets.
Recovery and Long-Term Maintenance
Following the SRP procedure, patients should expect a short recovery period involving predictable symptoms. It is common to experience increased gum sensitivity, mild bleeding, and tenderness for two to five days, especially as the local anesthesia wears off. Temporary sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures may also occur near the gum line, which usually resolves within a couple of weeks.
Managing the disease long-term requires a specific schedule of follow-up care known as periodontal maintenance. This is an ongoing therapeutic regimen, not a return to standard preventive cleanings. These maintenance appointments are typically scheduled more frequently than the standard six-month check-up, often every three to four months, to monitor pocket depths and remove minor bacterial re-accumulation. Consistent oral hygiene and adherence to this schedule are necessary to sustain the health improvements.