Scaling and root planing
Halt the progression of gum disease and restore your oral health with expert scaling and root planing. Luminara Dental provides this comfortable, non-surgical deep cleaning treatment for patients in Stittsville, Kanata, and West Ottawa to treat periodontitis and save your natural teeth.
Deep cleaning to protect your gums and teeth
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. However, when plaque and tartar are allowed to build up below the gum line, they cause an infection known as periodontal (gum) disease. Left untreated, this infection causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, forming deep "pockets" that harbor even more bacteria, ultimately leading to bone loss and tooth loss.
Scaling and root planing is a highly effective, non-surgical deep cleaning procedure designed to remove this hidden bacteria, halt the progression of the disease, and allow your gums to heal and reattach firmly to your teeth.
Why is scaling and root planing necessary?
While a standard cleaning is preventative, scaling and root planing is a therapeutic treatment necessary for patients with active, advanced gum disease. The benefits of this deep cleaning include:
- Prevents tooth loss: By stopping the destruction of the underlying jawbone, a deep cleaning is the most effective way to prevent the need for future tooth extractions.
- Eliminates chronic bad breath: Halitosis is often caused by the deep-seated bacteria trapped beneath the gums. Removing this infection instantly freshens your breath.
- Reduces gum inflammation: Your gums will stop bleeding, look less red and swollen, and feel significantly more comfortable.
- Protects your overall health: Advanced periodontal disease is linked to serious systemic health issues, including heart disease and diabetes. Treating the infection in your mouth helps protect your entire body.
Comfortable periodontal therapy in West Ottawa
At Luminara Dental, your comfort is our priority. We know that the term "deep cleaning" can sound intimidating, but our gentle Stittsville dental team utilizes modern techniques and highly effective local anesthesia to ensure the entire process is stress-free and virtually painless.
For highly advanced or complex cases of periodontitis, we also collaborate with trusted local periodontists in the Kanata and Richmond areas. If necessary, we will coordinate your care with a specialist while managing your ongoing maintenance here at our Stittsville clinic.
The deep cleaning process: What to expect
To keep you completely comfortable, scaling and root planing is usually completed over two visits (treating one half of the mouth at a time):
- Examination and Numbing: We measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth to target the exact areas of infection. We then use local anesthesia to completely numb your gums.
- Scaling: Using specialized, gentle instruments (often ultrasonic scalers), we carefully break down and remove the hardened tartar and bacterial plaque from below the gum line and all the way down to the bottom of the pocket.
- Root Planing: We meticulously smooth out the rough surfaces of your tooth roots. This process makes it incredibly difficult for bacteria to reattach in the future and gives your gums a clean, healthy surface to grip onto as they heal.
- Maintenance: Because gum disease is a chronic condition, we will schedule you for more frequent hygiene recall visits (typically every 3 to 4 months) to carefully monitor your healing and prevent the infection from returning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does scaling and root planing hurt?
No. Because we thoroughly numb the area with local anesthetic before we begin, you will only feel some pressure and the movement of our instruments, but no sharp pain. It is completely normal for your gums to feel slightly sore or tender for a few days after the procedure as they begin the healing process. We recommend warm saltwater rinses to help soothe the tissue.
How is a deep cleaning different from a regular dental cleaning?
A standard dental cleaning (prophylaxis) is a preventative measure. It focuses on removing plaque and stains from the visible portions of the teeth, above the gum line. Scaling and root planing is a medical treatment designed to treat an active infection below the gum line, requiring numbing and specialized tools to clean the roots of the teeth.
Will my gums grow back after the procedure?
While a deep cleaning cannot reverse the bone loss that has already occurred (unless you receive a specialized bone graft), it does allow the inflamed gum tissue to shrink back to a healthy state. As the swelling goes down, the gums will tighten and reattach to the newly smoothed roots, significantly reducing the depth of the periodontal pockets.
Noticing bleeding gums or chronic bad breath? Book an appointment with our Stittsville team today for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation and gentle, effective care.
Check other dental care treatments
Maintenance
The quiet, preventive work that keeps dentistry simple — steady hygiene and protection over time.
Repair
Restoring form, comfort and strength when a tooth has been worn, decayed, fractured or lost.
Transformation
Cosmetic dentistry shaped around your face and proportions — natural first, always.
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Asked and answered.
The things people ask on the phone before they book — written out properly, so you don't have to ask them.
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes — new patients of every age are welcome, and we're taking bookings now. Call (613) 836-1333 or email the office and we'll find you a time, usually within the same week.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- Your insurance details, if you have coverage
- A list of any medications and supplements you take
- Recent x-rays from a previous dentist, if you can get them sent over
- Anything you've been worrying about, written down — people forget once they're in the chair
If you don't have any of it, come anyway. We'll sort it out from here.
How long does a first appointment take?
Plan for about an hour. That covers a full exam, any x-rays we need, a periodontal check, an oral cancer screening, and time to actually talk through what we found. If a cleaning fits the same day, we'll do it — otherwise we'll book it close by.
Do you see children?
We do, and we're glad to book families together. A first visit for a young child is short and mostly about them getting comfortable in the room — counting teeth, looking at the tools, sitting in the chair. Nothing happens that we haven't explained to them first.
Do you accept my insurance?
We accept most traditional insurance plans — call the office and we'll confirm yours specifically. Our staff verifies your coverage, submits pre-estimates where it's useful to know the number in advance, and files your claims so you're reimbursed.One thing worth understanding: your policy is a contract between you and your insurer, not between us and them. We'll do everything we can to maximise what you get back, but the terms are theirs.
Will I know the cost before treatment starts?
Always. You get the options and the costs in writing, with your insurance portion estimated, before anything begins. If we find something unexpected mid-treatment, we stop and talk to you rather than carrying on and adding it to the bill.
How can I pay?
Cheque, cash, or major credit cards. You can also call the office to make a payment or to talk through your options if the timing is difficult — it's a conversation we have often and there's no awkwardness in it.
What if I have no insurance at all?
You're just as welcome. We'll give you the full cost up front and, where there's more than one clinically sound way to treat something, we'll tell you what each one costs and let you decide. Plenty of our patients pay out of pocket.