Gum disease affects millions of people, and most don’t realize how far it has progressed until a dentist points it out. That’s exactly why Dr. Faranak Khasraghi, DDS, DMD takes a proactive, detail-oriented approach to periodontal care at County Center Dental Group. With over 20 years of experience and a reputation built on precision and patient trust, Dr. K is the provider patients turn to when they need scaling and root planing done right. Her dual dental degrees and advanced clinical training ensure that every deep cleaning appointment is handled with the expertise your gum health deserves.
Scaling & Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
What Happens to Your Gums When Plaque Goes Untreated
Plaques are constantly forming on your teeth. When it isn’t removed through regular brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar, a stubborn deposit that can’t be cleared with a toothbrush alone. Over time, tartar accumulates along and beneath the gumline, irritating the surrounding tissue and triggering the early stages of gum disease.
As the irritation continues, your gums begin to pull away from your teeth, creating small pockets where bacteria collect and multiply. These pockets deepen as the infection progresses, eventually threatening the bone and connective tissue that hold your teeth in place. At this stage, a routine cleaning is no longer enough. Scaling and root planing is designed specifically to reach these pockets, clear out the bacterial deposits, and create conditions that allow your gum tissue to heal and reattach properly.
The Deep Cleaning Treatments We Provide
What to Expect During Your Deep Cleaning Appointment
Assessing the Extent of Gum Disease
Before any treatment begins, Dr. Khasraghi carefully evaluates the current state of your gum health. This includes measuring the depth of any periodontal pockets, reviewing your dental and medical history, and taking X-rays where needed to check for bone loss. The findings from this assessment determine how extensive your deep cleaning needs to be and whether the entire mouth or specific quadrants require attention.
Mapping Out Your Treatment
Once the assessment is complete, a clear treatment plan is put together based on your specific diagnosis. Dr. K will walk you through which areas are affected, how many appointments are needed to complete the procedure, and what outcomes you can realistically expect. This step ensures you have a full picture of your treatment before anything moves forward, so you can ask questions and feel confident going in.
Removing Deposits and Smoothing Roots
On treatment day, a local anesthetic is administered to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Scaling is performed first, using ultrasonic and hand instruments to remove hardened plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces and below the gumline. Root planing follows immediately after, carefully smoothing the root surfaces to discourage bacteria from reattaching and to encourage your gum tissue to begin healing.
Supporting Your Recovery at Home
After your deep cleaning, some tenderness and sensitivity in the treated areas are expected and usually resolve within a few days. You’ll receive specific aftercare instructions, including dietary recommendations, how to brush and floss without aggravating healing tissue, and what symptoms to watch for. Sticking to these guidelines at home plays a significant role in how well and how quickly your gums recover.
Confirming Your Gum Health Improves
A follow-up visit is scheduled several weeks after treatment to measure your progress. Dr. Khasraghi re-examines the periodontal pockets to determine whether they’ve decreased in depth and whether the gum tissue is reattaching properly. Based on these findings, she’ll advise whether any additional treatment is needed or recommend a periodontal maintenance schedule to keep gum disease from returning.
Why Choose Us
A lot of patients leave a deep cleaning appointment unsure of what was done, why it was necessary, or what comes next. Dr. Faranak Khasraghi takes a different approach. From the initial assessment through to your follow-up visit, she takes the time to explain what’s happening with your gum health in plain, direct terms, what the buildup looks like, how far the disease has progressed, and exactly what scaling and root planing will accomplish. That level of clarity isn’t standard everywhere, but at County Center Dental Group, it’s considered a core part of your care.
Understanding your condition also means you’re better equipped to maintain your results at home. Dr. K doesn’t just complete the procedure and move on. She ensures you leave with a practical understanding of what contributed to your gum disease, how to prevent it from returning, and what warning signs to watch for between visits. Combined with her dual dental degrees, 20-plus years of clinical experience, and recognition as America’s Top Dentist, her commitment to patient education makes for a level of care that goes well beyond the procedure itself.
Put Gum Disease Behind You With the Right Care Team!
Healthier gums mean less bleeding when you brush, less sensitivity when you eat, and a lower risk of losing teeth you’d rather keep. Scaling and root planing delivers those results, but only when gum disease is addressed before it advances further. Dr. Faranak Khasraghi and the team at County Center Dental Group are ready to walk you through every step of the process and make sure you leave each appointment with a clear picture of where your gum health stands.
Your first appointment with Dr. Faranak Khasraghi is simply a conversation, a chance to ask questions, understand what your gum health looks like, and decide on next steps without any pressure. Most patients do a little research before booking their first appointment, and our Facebook page is there when you’re in that stage. When you’re ready to take the next step, 703.670.4888 connects you directly with our team.
FAQs
How much is deep teeth cleaning?
The cost of deep cleaning varies depending on the severity of gum disease and how many areas of the mouth require treatment. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of scaling and root planing since it’s considered a medically necessary procedure for treating periodontal disease. During your consultation, the team will review your insurance benefits and discuss any out-of-pocket costs so you can make an informed decision.
Is deep cleaning teeth necessary?
If your dentist has identified significant tartar buildup below the gumline or periodontal pockets deeper than 4mm, deep cleaning is typically necessary to prevent further bone and tissue loss. A standard cleaning only addresses the surfaces above the gumline, which isn’t sufficient for treating active gum disease. Skipping treatment can allow the infection to progress, potentially leading to tooth loss and more invasive procedures down the line.
Is scaling of teeth painful?
The procedure is performed with local anesthesia, so most patients experience little to no discomfort during treatment. Some mild soreness and sensitivity in the treated areas are common in the days following the appointment, which can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Most patients find the experience far more manageable than they expected, especially with an experienced provider guiding the process.
What not to do after scaling teeth?
For the first 24 to 48 hours after your deep cleaning, avoid hard, crunchy, or very hot and cold foods that could irritate sensitive gum tissue. You should also refrain from smoking, as it significantly slows gum healing and increases the risk of reinfection. Continue brushing and flossing gently, and follow any specific aftercare instructions your dental team provides to support a smooth recovery.
What is root planing?
Root planing is the second phase of deep cleaning and involves carefully smoothing the surfaces of your tooth roots beneath the gumline. Rough root surfaces make it easier for bacteria to attach and harder for gum tissue to reattach to the tooth. By creating a smoother surface, root planing encourages healthy gum reattachment and reduces the likelihood of future bacterial buildup in periodontal pockets.
How long does scaling and root planing take?
The total time depends on the extent of gum disease and how many areas of the mouth are being treated. Typically, the procedure is divided into two appointments, with one or two quadrants of the mouth treated per visit, each session lasting roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Your dental team will give you a clearer estimate based on your specific treatment plan during the initial consultation.