Treatment Comparisons
Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces above the gumline, while a deep cleaning also clears buildup from the root surfaces below it. A regular cleaning maintains healthy gums, and a deep cleaning treats gum disease so the gums can heal. Dr. Jaime Lee evaluates your gums and recommends the cleaning that fits them.
What is the difference between a regular and a deep cleaning?
The difference is where the cleaning reaches and what it is for. A regular cleaning, also called a prophylaxis, is preventive care for healthy gums or mild gum inflammation. A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, treats gum disease by clearing tartar (hardened plaque) from the pockets that form between the gums and teeth.
What happens during a regular cleaning?
Our team removes plaque, tartar, and surface stains from your teeth, working along and just below the gumline. The teeth are then polished, and the cleaning is usually part of your routine exam. It keeps your gums healthy and makes it easier to maintain your teeth between visits.
What happens during a deep cleaning?
With the area numbed for comfort, the root surfaces below the gumline are cleaned of tartar and bacteria, then smoothed so the gums can reattach to the teeth. The mouth is usually treated in sections, over one or more visits. A follow-up visit then lets Dr. Lee check how the gums are healing.
How do they compare?
| Regular cleaning | Deep cleaning | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Prevention for healthy gums | Treatment for gum disease |
| Where it cleans | Above and just below the gumline | The root surfaces below the gumline |
| Numbing | Not usually needed | Usually used for comfort |
| Visits | Part of a routine exam | One or more visits, by section of the mouth |
| Afterward | Routine exams and cleanings | Ongoing gum care visits, often more frequent |
Why would Dr. Lee recommend a deep cleaning?
Dr. Lee recommends a deep cleaning when tartar has built up below the gumline and the gums have begun to separate from the teeth, forming pockets. She identifies this by measuring the space between the gums and teeth and reviewing X-rays of the supporting bone. Clearing that buildup lets the gums heal and protects the bone that holds your teeth.
What happens after a deep cleaning?
Your gums may feel tender for a few days as they heal. After treatment, Dr. Lee recommends a schedule of periodontal maintenance visits, which are ongoing cleanings that keep the gums stable. Our deep cleaning aftercare guide explains the first days in detail.
What affects the cost?
A regular cleaning is usually covered as preventive care. A deep cleaning is priced by the number of sections of the mouth treated, and plans often cover it at a different level. We go over the estimate and your coverage with you before anything is scheduled.
Frequently asked questions
Does a deep cleaning hurt?
The area is numbed before a deep cleaning, so the treatment itself is comfortable. Some tenderness and sensitivity for a few days afterward is common.
Why can't a regular cleaning fix gum disease?
A regular cleaning does not reach the root surfaces deep in the pockets below the gumline, where gum disease is active. A deep cleaning clears those surfaces so the gums can heal.
Will I need deep cleanings every time?
Usually not. After a deep cleaning, ongoing periodontal maintenance visits keep the gums stable, and Dr. Lee sets their schedule based on the health of your gums.
How does Dr. Lee know which cleaning I need?
Dr. Lee measures the space between your gums and teeth, checks for inflammation and bleeding, and reviews X-rays of the bone. Those findings show whether a regular or a deep cleaning fits.
Related pages
Where is our Seattle dental office?
Smile Art is at 901 Boren Ave, Suite 1030, Seattle, WA 98104. We welcome new patients from Seattle and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Seattle, WA 98104
HoursMonday–Thursday, 8:00am–4:00pm
Phone(206) 325-7200
The Cabrini Medical Tower garage entrance is at 1010 Marion St. The building entrance is on Boren Ave; Dr. Lee is in Suite 1030. Parking for a Smile Art visit does not require validation. Directions to the garage. Check posted rates when you park.