If scaling and root planing is a new concept to you, the most important fact to understand is this: During this treatment we use small, delicate dental instruments in conjunction with high-intensity laser technology to access and decontaminate hidden areas of bacterial infection below the gumline. Only practices such as ours that use laser equipment are able to destroy gum disease bacteria in a minimally invasive way that enables the treatment site to heal quickly and with minimal bleeding. A two-step process, scaling and root planing begins with carefully removing bacteria and signs of infection from underneath your gums. During root planing we go all the way down to the tooth roots, smoothing them out to both clear away existing bacteria and to keep more from developing again later. Smooth tooth surfaces deny bacteria places to attach and hide, so bacteria are less likely to flourish on your teeth after root planing.