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Two non-surgical procedures that stop gum disease before it costs you a tooth.
Recommended to combat chronic periodontal disease and for patients with receding gums. Watch for these signs:
Gums that bleed or feel puffy during brushing or flossing can signal early gum disease.
Gums pulling away from the teeth can expose roots and are a common reason for treatment.
During a routine exam we assess your periodontal pockets — deeper pockets may indicate periodontal disease.
Bad breath that persists despite good hygiene can be tied to bacteria trapped below the gumline.
Tartar that has built up below the gumline cannot be removed by brushing alone.
Without treatment, bacteria from diseased gums can lead to receding gums, tooth loss, bone loss, or loose teeth.
Not sure if you need treatment? A periodontal exam can tell you exactly where your gums stand — no pressure, no commitment.
Depending on severity, treatment may be broken into multiple appointments — done on an outpatient basis, with or without local anesthetic.
We scrape plaque deposits from your teeth and the pockets between your gums and teeth.
The root surfaces are smoothed and cleared of tartar to remove bacteria from below the gumline.
Treatment is done on an outpatient basis, with or without local anesthetic depending on severity.
More extensive cases may be broken into multiple appointments to treat different areas of the mouth.
Your mouth is flushed with water to remove residue, and we schedule a follow-up to check your progress.
Gum sensitivity, tenderness, swelling, and even bleeding are normal for the first few days after treatment. Brush gently, use wax-coated floss, and rinse periodically with warm salt water or an oral rinse. At your follow-up appointment we'll check for improvement — if your gums are firm and pink again with smaller pockets, further treatment may not be needed.
Both remove plaque and tartar — but the depth of cleaning and the goal are very different. Here's a side-by-side look.
Invisalign treatment at Smile Craft combines your general dentist's familiarity with your case and an orthodontist's specialty training.
Lead Dentist · Smile Craft Dental Redwood City
Dr. Amy leads Smile Craft Dental with a commitment to technology, continuing education, and patient-centered care. She works alongside an on-site orthodontist on every Invisalign case, ensuring your treatment plan is shaped by specialist-level expertise — while keeping you comfortable in a practice you already know. Her approach is straightforward: explain everything clearly, listen carefully, and never recommend a treatment that isn’t the right fit.
4.9 stars across 556 Google reviews. Here's what patients describe about their experience at Smile Craft.
Answers to the questions patients ask most about deep cleaning treatment.
What is the dental plaque removed during root planing? Plaque is a film of saliva and bacteria that forms on teeth and gums. If it isn't removed through brushing, flossing, and routine cleanings, it can harden into tartar.
How long does root scaling take? It's often spread across multiple appointments to treat different parts of the mouth, though it can sometimes be completed in a single one-to-two-hour appointment.
What dental tools are used during root scaling? We use a hand scaler or an ultrasonic instrument, which also uses water, to remove tartar from the teeth and root surfaces.
What can I eat after root scaling or planing? Plan to wait about two hours before eating, then stick to soft, mild foods for a few days — avoiding anything crunchy, hard, or spicy.
Does insurance cover scaling and root planing? Many dental insurance plans cover it as a periodontal treatment, though coverage varies by plan. Smile Craft Dental accepts most major PPO plans, and Cherry financing is available for any remaining balance.
Smile Craft Dental is a family dental practice with two Bay Area locations — Redwood City and Sunnyvale — serving patients of all ages. Dr. Janice Chou, a University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry graduate with an AEGD residency, leads a team committed to continued education, advanced technology, and clear communication at every step of care. We accept most PPO insurance plans and offer Cherry financing to help make treatment accessible. If you're noticing signs of gum disease or haven't had a periodontal evaluation in a while, we make it easy to get started. Contact us to request an appointment for scaling and root planing in Redwood City.
2531 El Camino Real · Redwood City, CA 94061
Serving San Carlos, Belmont, and the Peninsula