Scaling and root planing, otherwise known as conventional periodontal therapy, non-surgical periodontal therapy, or deep cleaning, is the process of removing or eliminating the etiologic agents – dental plaque, its products, and calculus – which cause inflammation,[1] thus helping to establish a periodontium that is free of disease. Periodontal scalers and periodontal curettes are some of the tools involved.
Scaling and root planing usually follows, if necessary, dental x-rays and an ultrasonic debridement (“cleaning”), frequently as part of a normal periodic oral examination.