Scaling and Root Planing in Glendale, AZ
Bleeding when you brush, gums that look a little more pulled back than they used to, a dentist mentioning “pockets” at your last cleaning; these are usually the signs you need cleanings. At My Dental & Implants, Dr. Afzalian treats gum disease with scaling and root planing in Glendale, a deep teeth cleaning that reaches below the gumline where a regular cleaning can’t.
Gum disease tends to get harder to treat the longer it’s left alone, so if something feels off with your gums, it’s worth understanding why sooner rather than later.
Signs You May Need Scaling and Root Planing
Gum disease doesn’t always come with obvious pain, so it helps to know what to watch for. Here’s when a deep cleaning is likely the next step:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Gums that look red, swollen, or pulled back from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath that brushing doesn’t fix
- Teeth that feel slightly loose or shifted
- Your dentist mentioning “pockets” or measurements during a cleaning
- Tartar buildup below the gumline that a regular cleaning can’t reach
- Sensitivity near the gumline that wasn’t there before
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth having your gums evaluated before the problem progresses. But if gum disease has reached the point of affecting a tooth’s nerve, we’ll talk about whether a root canal treatment is also needed.
What Root Planing and Scaling Includes
Gum disease treatment comes down to a few basic steps, done carefully and with time to heal in between.
Scaling
We remove plaque and tartar from below your gumline, where regular cleaning tools can’t reach.
Root Planing
The exposed root surfaces are smoothed so irritated gum tissue can reattach to the tooth.
Periodontal Maintenance
Once the initial treatment is done, regular follow-up cleanings help keep the gums from regressing.
Comfortable, Thorough Deep Cleaning Visits
Tooth scaling and root planing usually takes more time than a regular cleaning, so we plan the visit accordingly and make sure you know what to expect afterward.
Visits Planned by Area
Treatment is often split by section of the mouth over two visits, rather than done all at once.
Comfort During Treatment
Local anesthetic numbs the gums and roots being treated, so the deeper cleaning doesn’t feel like a regular one.
Teeth Deep Cleaning Pain
The area is numbed beforehand, so most of what you’ll feel is pressure or vibration from the instruments rather than sharp pain. Any lingering sensitivity is usually mild and short-lived.
Do You Need Scaling and Root Planing?
Not everyone with early gum irritation needs a deep cleaning of teeth. We measure your gum pockets to see how far the problem has progressed.
Good Candidates
Bleeding gums, visible tartar below the gumline, or pocket measurements beyond a few millimeters usually mean our dental scaling and root planing in Glendale is the right next step.
May Just Need a Regular Cleaning
Mild gum irritation with shallow pockets and no bleeding often responds to a standard cleaning and better home care. We’ll confirm which applies to you at your exam. In more advanced cases where a tooth can’t be saved, we’ll discuss whether an extraction is the better path forward.
The Steps of Our Scaling and Root Planing Procedure
Knowing the steps ahead of time makes a longer appointment feel a lot less intimidating. At My Dental & Implants, treatment typically goes like this:
01
Exam & Measurements
We measure the depth of your gum pockets to see how far the disease has progressed and where to focus treatment.
02
Numbing the Area
We numb the gums and roots with local anesthetic so the deeper cleaning stays comfortable.
03
Scaling
We remove plaque and tartar from below your gumline using hand or ultrasonic instruments.
04
Root Planing
We smooth the root surface so gum tissue has a clean surface to reattach to.
05
Follow-Up Scheduling
We schedule a recheck a few weeks out to see how the gums are healing and whether the pockets have improved.
How Much Does Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing Cost?
The deep cleaning teeth cost depends on how many areas of the mouth need treatment and how advanced the gum disease is. We’ll walk you through the cost before starting.
Insurance Coverage
We work with plans like Aetna, Delta Dental, MetLife, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Many plans cover at least a portion of scaling and root planing as a basic or major procedure.
Flexible Financing Options
Proceed Finance, CareCredit, and Cherry financing plans are available if you’d rather spread the cost across monthly payments.
Don’t Have Dental Insurance?
You don’t need insurance to get treated. Ask us about financing options that fit your budget.
Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning
Not sure why a regular dental cleaning isn’t enough? Here’s how the two compare.
| Category | Regular Cleaning | Scaling and Root Planing |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Healthy or mildly irritated gums | Gum disease with pockets below the gumline |
| Depth treated | Above and just below the gumline | Below the gumline, along the root surface |
| Anesthesia | Usually none needed | Local anesthetic, since it treats deeper tissue |
| Visits | One visit | Often split across two visits |
| Follow-up | Every six months | A recheck a few weeks after treatment |
| Best next step | Ask us if a regular cleaning still fits your gums | Ask us for a gum measurement to see if this is the right step |
What Our Patients Say
Real feedback from patients who’ve trusted My Dental & Implants with their care, gum treatment included.
Meet Our Periodontal Care Dentist in Glendale
Dr. Nima Afzalian, D.M.D., treats gum disease for patients at My Dental & Implants. Before dental school, he studied Biomedical Engineering at Arizona State University’s Barrett Honors College, graduating in 2017, then completed a Master of Science in Biomedical/Medical Engineering at ASU in 2018, before earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona in 2022.
Arizona License: D011364 | NPI: 1245979186 | Services provided by an Arizona-licensed general dentist.
Experience You Can Trust
Since 2022, Dr. Afzalian has treated gum disease at every stage, from early pocketing to more advanced cases needing a full deep cleaning.
Awards & Training
His dental school record includes Honors in Dental Implants and the Dean’s Award as Top Clinician, training that carries into how carefully he measures and treats gum disease.
Commonly Asked Questions
What is scaling and root planing?
This deep dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar from below your gumline and smooths the tooth root, treating gum disease that a regular cleaning can’t reach.
Is scaling and root planing the same as a deep cleaning?
Yes. Deep cleaning is just the common term for the same procedure.
Does scaling and root planing hurt?
The area is numbed with local anesthetic first, so you shouldn’t feel pain during treatment. Mild soreness afterward is normal.
How long does scaling and root planing take?
Treatment is often split across two visits, usually by the side of the mouth, though this depends on how much area needs treatment.
Will I need follow-up appointments?
Yes. We recheck your gums a few weeks after treatment, and many patients move to more frequent maintenance cleanings afterward.
Does insurance cover scaling and root planing?
Many plans cover at least part of it as a basic or major procedure. We’ll check your specific benefits before starting.
Can gum disease come back after treatment?
It can, especially without consistent home care and maintenance cleanings, which is why follow-up visits matter.
What happens if I skip the deep cleaning my dentist recommended?
Gum disease tends to progress rather than resolve on its own, which can eventually affect how stable your teeth are.
DEEP CLEANING TEETH NEAR ME
Don’t Wait on Gum Disease, Call Today
Gum disease doesn’t reverse itself, and waiting usually means more treatment later, not less. So stop Googling “deep cleaning teeth near me” and contact My Dental & Implant. Dr. Afzalian and his team treat patients across Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, and Surprise. Call (623) 300-2550 to schedule an evaluation.
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