At New York Periodontics, our philosophy has always been to treat periodontal disease as early and conservatively as possible. From Dr. Odrich and Dr. Pollack to Dr. Sarmiento, the foundation of our practice has been prevention, early diagnosis, disease control, and preservation of the natural teeth whenever possible.
Today, this same philosophy continues with Dr. Sarmiento, Dr. Rosen, and Dr. Liss. Our goal is always to stop periodontal disease from progressing and to avoid surgery whenever a non-surgical approach can provide a stable and healthy result.
Scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning, is a non-surgical periodontal treatment used to remove plaque, calculus, and bacteria from below the gumline.
When bacteria accumulate under the gums, the tissue becomes inflamed and periodontal pockets can form. These pockets allow bacteria to travel deeper along the root surface, which may eventually lead to bone loss, gum recession, tooth mobility, and tooth loss.
Scaling and root planing helps by:
For many patients, scaling and root planing is the first and most important step in controlling periodontal disease.
Not every patient with periodontal disease needs surgery. In many cases, early or moderate periodontal disease can be treated successfully with non-surgical therapy, improved home care, and consistent periodontal maintenance.
At New York Periodontics, we try to avoid surgery whenever possible. We begin with the least invasive treatment that can predictably control the disease. This conservative approach allows us to reduce inflammation, stabilize the gums, and determine whether additional treatment is truly necessary.
Non-surgical therapy is important because it can:
After scaling and root planing, we carefully re-evaluate the gum tissue to determine how well the patient has healed and whether any remaining areas require further treatment.
At New York Periodontics, we have all major dental lasers that are FDA cleared for use in dentistry. Each laser has unique benefits, and we select the appropriate laser based on the patient’s diagnosis, tissue condition, and treatment goals.
Lasers do not replace proper periodontal diagnosis or meticulous scaling and root planing. Instead, they are used as an adjunct to enhance treatment and support healing.
Lasers can be beneficial because they allow us to target specific tissues and bacteria with precision. Depending on the type of laser used, laser therapy may help reduce bacterial load, disinfect periodontal pockets, remove diseased soft tissue, or stimulate healing.
Some lasers are especially useful for biostimulation, which means they help stimulate cellular activity, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing response. Other lasers are selected for their ability to reduce bacterial contamination and improve soft tissue management.
When combined with scaling and root planing, laser therapy may help create a cleaner, healthier, and more biologically favorable environment for the gums to heal.
The philosophy at New York Periodontics has always been rooted in prevention and conservation. Dr. Odrich, Dr. Pollack, and Dr. Sarmiento believed strongly in stopping periodontal disease before it becomes more destructive and treating patients in the least invasive way possible.
That philosophy remains central to our practice today. Dr. Rosen and Dr. Liss continue this same approach by emphasizing early treatment, non-surgical disease control, careful maintenance, and individualized patient care.
Surgery can be highly effective when necessary, but it is not always the first step. Whenever possible, we attempt to stabilize the disease with non-surgical therapy, improved hygiene, laser adjuncts, and a customized maintenance program.
Scaling and root planing may be recommended when patients have:
The procedure is often completed in sections of the mouth so each area can be treated carefully and comfortably.
Scaling and root planing is not a one-time cure. Periodontal disease is a chronic condition that must be monitored and maintained. After non-surgical therapy, patients are placed on a periodontal maintenance schedule based on their individual risk.
Many patients require maintenance every three to four months to prevent bacteria from recolonizing below the gums. Our hygienists carefully monitor pocket depths, bleeding, inflammation, calculus buildup, recession, and changes in oral health over time.
At New York Periodontics, our goal is to preserve natural teeth, reduce inflammation, control bacteria, and protect long-term oral health. Scaling and root planing, combined with advanced laser therapy when appropriate, allows us to treat periodontal disease in a conservative and biologically supportive manner.
By combining traditional periodontal principles with modern laser technology, we are able to offer patients a non-surgical approach focused on prevention, healing, and long-term stability.
