Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing) · Walnut Creek, CA

Deep Cleaning — Scaling & Root Planing in Walnut Creek, CA

Treat gum disease effectively with thorough, gentle periodontal therapy at Hearthwood Dental Care.

The Basics

What You Need to Know

What is a deep cleaning?

Scaling and root planing is a specialized treatment to arrest periodontal disease. Unlike a standard cleaning, it removes hardened plaque and bacterial toxins from beneath the gumline.

Why is this beneficial?

This foundational treatment stops active bone loss, minimizes chronic gum bleeding, and removes deep infection pools, allowing infected gum tissue to heal and reattach to your teeth.

Will the process hurt?

No. Local anesthetic or specialized numbing gels ensure complete comfort throughout. Mild temperature sensitivity and tender gums for a few days afterward are normal.

Why It Matters

Benefits of Treatment

Every treatment at Hearthwood Dental Care is designed to deliver lasting results, improve your oral health, and give you confidence in your smile.

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Stops active bone loss from periodontal disease

Eliminates chronic gum bleeding and inflammation

Removes deep bacterial deposits below the gumline

Allows infected gum tissue to heal and reattach

Prevents tooth loss caused by advanced gum disease

Creates a stable biological seal around each tooth

The Process

Your Treatment, Step by Step

Visit 1 — Scaling & Planing (First Half)

First half of mouth comfortably numbed
Ultrasonic scalers vibrate away heavy plaque, followed by micro-hand
instruments to smooth roots
Pocket depths thoroughly flushed with antimicrobial rinse

45–60 min

Visit 2 — Scaling & Planing (Second Half)

Remaining half of mouth numbed and treated
Clinician evaluates healing and initial pocket response from first session
Final root surfaces refined to leave entire mouth microscopically clean

45–60 min

Home Care (First 72 Hours)

Rinse gently with warm salt water 3x daily
Avoid hard, crunchy, or heavily spiced foods
Do NOT skip brushing or flossing; use soft-bristled brush gently

Ongoing

Visit 3 — Periodontal Maintenance (4–6 Weeks)

Critical follow-up to re-measure periodontal pockets
Tissue attachment response evaluated
Patients with bone loss transition to 3–4 month maintenance cleanings

45 min

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Signs include gum pockets deeper than 4mm, bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, or visible tartar buildup below the gumline. Diagnosis requires a clinical exam.

A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces above the gumline. A deep cleaning goes below the gumline to treat active gum disease.

Gum disease can recur without consistent oral hygiene and regular maintenance visits. We typically recommend 3–4 month maintenance cleanings for periodontal patients.

Typically 2 treatment visits (one per half of the mouth) plus a follow-up check at 4–6 weeks to evaluate healing and periodontal pocket response.

RELATED SERVICES & LINKS

Preventive Dentistry Fillings Extractions & Bone Grafts Home Emergency Dentistry

Ready to Get Started in Walnut Creek,
CA?

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Addison Yu at Hearthwood Dental Care today.

BOOK APPOINTMENT (925) 934-8668