If supragingival calculus is not cleaned up in time, bacteria and calculus will continue to invade and adhere to the root surface. As inflammation intensifies, the alveolar bone will gradually be damaged, resulting in a loose gap between the gums and teeth, forming a deeper "pocket," which is what we commonly call a periodontal pocket.

As the depth of the "pocket" increases, the calculus will quietly spread downwards through this hidden "channel," continuing to erode the periodontal tissue. This leads to gradual gum recession, alveolar bone resorption, and ultimately serious consequences such as tooth displacement, loosening, and even loss. The periodontal condition also worsens from the gingivitis stage, which only requires supragingival scaling, to the periodontitis stage, which requires more complex periodontal scaling and root planing treatment.

“Scaling and root planing” Includes subgingival scaling and root planing. Using more refined subgingival instruments, it carefully removes subgingival calculus and plaque hidden on the root surface in the periodontal pocket, and removes some softened and diseased cementum on the root surface, making the root surface smooth, hard, and clean. This not only benefits the healthy attachment of periodontal tissue but also promotes the regeneration and recovery of periodontal tissue.

After scaling and root planing, periodontal inflammation will be controlled, and the congestion and edema of the gums will be significantly reduced. At this time, the tooth gaps and some exposed roots that were originally hidden due to swelling will gradually become visible. Many patients may mistakenly think that this is gum recession and widening of tooth gaps caused by periodontal treatment, but in fact, this is the true state of the periodontal tissue after periodontal treatment eliminates periodontal inflammation and restores the damage caused by long-term bacterial and calculus destruction.

When tartar accumulates for a long time at the junction of the teeth and gums and is not removed in time, causing gingivitis to occur, the gingivitis will further develop towards the tooth root, forming a periodontal pocket. After the formation of a periodontal pocket, it is easy to accumulate food residue and bacteria. The periodontal pocket will gradually deepen, and calculus will gradually accumulate under the gums. Bacteria will proliferate in the periodontal pocket, causing inflammation and resorption of the alveolar bone, exposing the tooth root. If this is not taken seriously, it may lead to tooth loosening and loss. Therefore, in order to save the teeth, it is necessary to use scaling and root planing (subgingival scaling) to remove the subgingival calculus.