Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults — and it's often painless until advanced stages. Early detection and treatment can stop it in its tracks and protect your teeth for life.
Gum disease (periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection of the tissues surrounding your teeth. It starts as gingivitis — red, swollen, or bleeding gums — and progresses to periodontitis if untreated, causing bone loss and eventual tooth loss.
The good news: when caught early, gum disease responds very well to professional treatment combined with improved home care.
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that removes tartar and bacteria from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces to discourage future buildup. It's typically done in two appointments (one side of the mouth at a time) with local anesthesia.
After scaling and root planing, you'll return for a follow-up exam to assess healing. Many patients transition to periodontal maintenance visits every 3–4 months instead of standard 6-month cleanings to keep the disease controlled.
Most PPO plans cover scaling and root planing at 50–80% when periodontitis is diagnosed. Denti-Cal covers deep cleanings in certain clinical situations. We'll verify your benefits before scheduling.