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Root Planing in Scarborough, ON

Dr. Isabel Cumandra of ScarboroSmiles Dental Clinic in Scarborough, ON

Written by

Dr. Isabel Cumandra

Nickolas Steel

Published

Feb 12, 2026

Feb 12, 2026

Root planing is an important treatment for gum disease (periodontitis) that helps you avoid serious problems down the road, like tooth loss or needing surgery on your gums. Our team at ScarboroSmiles in Scarborough, ON, uses careful, gentle methods to help your gums heal and keep them healthy.

Root Planing in Scarborough, ON at ScarboroSmiles | Best Dentist in Scarborough, ON

What Is Root Planing?

Root planing helps fix gum disease by cleaning deep below your gum line where bacteria and hard deposits collect.

This treatment cleans the roots of your teeth to get rid of bacteria and buildup that hide under your gums. Once the roots are cleaned and made smooth, your gums can heal and attach back to your teeth. Your gums will also feel better—less puffy, less bleeding, and less pain.

Think of root planing as a way to clean the parts of your teeth you can't see or reach with a toothbrush. It gets rid of the places where harmful bacteria gather and stops gum disease from causing more damage.

When Is Root Planing Necessary?

We know that every person's gum health is different! That's why root planing may be needed at different times. Here are the most common situations when root planing becomes necessary:

  • Gum disease (periodontitis) - When you have gum disease that has moved deep below your gum line, root planing removes the bacteria and tartar buildup that regular cleaning can't reach.

  • Deep gum pockets - If the space between your gums and teeth has become too deep (usually more than 3-4mm), root planing helps clean these pockets and lets your gums heal and reattach to your teeth.

  • Bleeding or swollen gums - When your gums bleed easily when you brush or floss, or look red and puffy, this often means bacteria have built up below the gum line and root planing can help.

  • Tartar buildup below gums - Hard deposits (tartar or calculus) that form on tooth roots under your gums need root planing to be removed, since regular brushing can't clean this deep.

Our experienced dentists will carefully examine your gums, measure gum pocket depths, and may take X-ray pictures of your mouth to see if root planing is right for you. We'll help you understand exactly what your gums need to become healthy again!

Root Planing in Scarborough, ON at ScarboroSmiles | Best Dentist in Scarborough, ON

What Is Root Planing?

Root planing helps fix gum disease by cleaning deep below your gum line where bacteria and hard deposits collect.

This treatment cleans the roots of your teeth to get rid of bacteria and buildup that hide under your gums. Once the roots are cleaned and made smooth, your gums can heal and attach back to your teeth. Your gums will also feel better—less puffy, less bleeding, and less pain.

Think of root planing as a way to clean the parts of your teeth you can't see or reach with a toothbrush. It gets rid of the places where harmful bacteria gather and stops gum disease from causing more damage.

When Is Root Planing Necessary?

We know that every person's gum health is different! That's why root planing may be needed at different times. Here are the most common situations when root planing becomes necessary:

  • Gum disease (periodontitis) - When you have gum disease that has moved deep below your gum line, root planing removes the bacteria and tartar buildup that regular cleaning can't reach.

  • Deep gum pockets - If the space between your gums and teeth has become too deep (usually more than 3-4mm), root planing helps clean these pockets and lets your gums heal and reattach to your teeth.

  • Bleeding or swollen gums - When your gums bleed easily when you brush or floss, or look red and puffy, this often means bacteria have built up below the gum line and root planing can help.

  • Tartar buildup below gums - Hard deposits (tartar or calculus) that form on tooth roots under your gums need root planing to be removed, since regular brushing can't clean this deep.

Our experienced dentists will carefully examine your gums, measure gum pocket depths, and may take X-ray pictures of your mouth to see if root planing is right for you. We'll help you understand exactly what your gums need to become healthy again!

Root Planing Process at ScarboroSmiles in Scarborough, ON | Best dentist in Scarborough, ON

Getting Your Root Planing Treatment at ScarboroSmiles

Here is how we clean deep under your gums when you come in for root planing:

Step 1: Check-Up and Making a Plan

We start by talking to you about any gum problems or worries you have, and we look at your past dental history. We then do a careful check of your gums and teeth.

We measure the space between your gums and teeth (called gum pockets) and may take special digital X-rays to see the tartar buildup under your gums clearly. Then, we tell you what we found and explain if root planing is the right treatment option for you.

Step 2: Making Sure You're Comfortable

Your comfort is the most important thing! We use gentle dental techniques to make the gum area completely numb (a local anesthetic), so you won't feel pain while we work.

We then carefully prepare to clean and remove all of the bacteria and hard tartar buildup from below your gum line.

Step 3: Deep Cleaning the Tooth Roots

We use special dental tools to gently scrape away the tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces of your teeth. This removes the rough spots where bacteria like to hide.

We work carefully on each tooth root to make sure it is completely smooth and clean. This step is super important so your gums can heal properly and stick back to your teeth without bleeding or swelling.

Step 4: Final Check and Next Steps

We do a final check to make sure all the tartar and bacteria have been removed and your tooth roots are smooth.

Before you go home, we give you easy instructions on how to care for your gums after root planing and what you might feel (like a little sensitivity or tenderness at first). Following these tips helps your gums heal well and stay healthy for a long time after treatment!

Root Planing Process at ScarboroSmiles in Scarborough, ON | Best dentist in Scarborough, ON

Getting Your Root Planing Treatment at ScarboroSmiles

Here is how we clean deep under your gums when you come in for root planing:

Step 1: Check-Up and Making a Plan

We start by talking to you about any gum problems or worries you have, and we look at your past dental history. We then do a careful check of your gums and teeth.

We measure the space between your gums and teeth (called gum pockets) and may take special digital X-rays to see the tartar buildup under your gums clearly. Then, we tell you what we found and explain if root planing is the right treatment option for you.

Step 2: Making Sure You're Comfortable

Your comfort is the most important thing! We use gentle dental techniques to make the gum area completely numb (a local anesthetic), so you won't feel pain while we work.

We then carefully prepare to clean and remove all of the bacteria and hard tartar buildup from below your gum line.

Step 3: Deep Cleaning the Tooth Roots

We use special dental tools to gently scrape away the tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces of your teeth. This removes the rough spots where bacteria like to hide.

We work carefully on each tooth root to make sure it is completely smooth and clean. This step is super important so your gums can heal properly and stick back to your teeth without bleeding or swelling.

Step 4: Final Check and Next Steps

We do a final check to make sure all the tartar and bacteria have been removed and your tooth roots are smooth.

Before you go home, we give you easy instructions on how to care for your gums after root planing and what you might feel (like a little sensitivity or tenderness at first). Following these tips helps your gums heal well and stay healthy for a long time after treatment!

Expert dental team at ScarboroSmiles in Scarborough, ON | Best Dentist in Scarborough, ON

Why Choose ScarboroSmiles in Scarborough, ON, for Root Planing?

Choosing ScarboroSmiles means you get help from our professional dental team. We are experts at treating gum disease and helping make your gums healthy and strong again.

We work in an advanced clinical setting. This means we use modern dental technology and gentle tools to clean deep under your gums and give you the best care possible.

We provide dental care tailored to you. We create a special treatment plan just for your gums and what you need to heal properly.

Don't let gum disease hurt your health! If your gums bleed when you brush, look red and swollen, or if you have bad breath that won't go away, come see us right away.
Our friendly and talented team in Scarborough, ON, are ready to help your gums and smile become healthy again!

Expert dental team at ScarboroSmiles in Scarborough, ON | Best Dentist in Scarborough, ON

Why Choose ScarboroSmiles in Scarborough, ON, for Root Planing?

Choosing ScarboroSmiles means you get help from our professional dental team. We are experts at treating gum disease and helping make your gums healthy and strong again.

We work in an advanced clinical setting. This means we use modern dental technology and gentle tools to clean deep under your gums and give you the best care possible.

We provide dental care tailored to you. We create a special treatment plan just for your gums and what you need to heal properly.

Don't let gum disease hurt your health! If your gums bleed when you brush, look red and swollen, or if you have bad breath that won't go away, come see us right away.
Our friendly and talented team in Scarborough, ON, are ready to help your gums and smile become healthy again!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Root Planing

How can I tell if I need root planing?

Look for these signs:

  • Your gums bleed when you brush or floss.

  • Your gums look red, puffy, or swollen.

  • You have bad breath that won't go away.

  • Your gums are pulling away from your teeth.

  • Your teeth feel loose or are shifting.

If you notice any of these signs, it's time to call us so a dentist can check your gums.

Does root planing hurt?

We want you to be comfortable! We use a special medicine called a local anesthetic to make your gum area completely numb before we start the treatment.

That means you should feel very little or no pain while our dental team is cleaning deep under your gums.

How long does root planing take?

How long root planing takes depends on how much of your mouth needs treatment.

  • If only one part of your mouth needs cleaning, the visit usually takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

  • If your whole mouth needs root planing, we may split the treatment into 2 to 4 visits so you stay comfortable.

During your check-up, we'll tell you exactly how many visits you'll need and how long each one will take.

What should I expect after root planing?

After root planing, your gums may feel a little tender or sensitive for a few days. This is normal and means your gums are starting to heal!

Here's what you can do to help your gums heal well:

  • Brush gently with a soft toothbrush.

  • Avoid very hot, spicy, or very cold foods for a day or two.

  • Rinse with warm salt water to keep your gums clean.

  • Take any medicine we recommend if you have discomfort.

Most people feel much better within a few days, and their gums stop bleeding and look healthier!

Will I need root planing again in the future?

If you brush and floss every day and come in for regular dental cleanings, your gums should stay healthy after root planing.

However, if gum disease comes back or if tartar builds up again under your gums, you may need root planing again. That's why regular check-ups are so important; they help us catch problems early!

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Contact

Phone: (416) 519-6825

Email: info@scarborosmiles.ca

Hours of Operation

  • Monday

  • 08:00am - 08:30pm

  • Tuesday

  • 08:00am - 09:00pm

  • Wednesday

  • 08:00am - 08:00pm

  • Thursday

  • 08:00am - 09:00pm

  • Friday

  • 08:00am - 02:00pm

  • Saturday

  • 09:00am - 03:00pm

  • Sunday

  • Closed

Location

300 Borough Dr Unit 53A,
Scarborough, ON M1P 4P5

Scarborough Town Centre
Lower Level Entrance 6

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