Deep Cleaning · Scaling & Root Planing · Makati
Non-surgical periodontal treatment that removes calculus and bacterial deposits from below the gumline and smooths root surfaces to reduce reattachment of bacteria. The first-line clinical response to early to moderate periodontal disease — performed under local anaesthesia, by quadrant, at DevelopDent.
Book an AppointmentAt a glance
Periodontal disease begins when bacterial deposits at the gumline cause chronic inflammation of the gum tissue. Over time, the inflamed tissue pulls away from the tooth, forming a pocket — a space below the gumline where bacteria continue to accumulate, undisturbed by brushing. As the pocket deepens, the bone supporting the tooth begins to break down.
Routine professional cleaning (prophylaxis) addresses deposits above and just below the gumline. Once pockets reach 4mm or deeper — with active bleeding on probing and measurable bone involvement — cleaning at the surface level is insufficient. Deep cleaning addresses the root surfaces within those pockets directly.
Scaling removes the calculus and bacterial deposits adhering to the root surface below the gumline. Root planing smooths the root surface, making it harder for bacteria to re-adhere and giving the gum tissue a cleaner surface against which to re-attach. The result, over several weeks, is reduced pocket depth, less bleeding on probing, and a more stable periodontal environment.
Deep cleaning is not a permanent fix for advanced bone loss. For patients with very deep pockets or vertical bone defects, surgical periodontal treatment may ultimately be required. The treating dentist reassesses pocket depths at a follow-up visit 4–6 weeks after deep cleaning is complete to determine whether the clinical response is sufficient or whether further intervention is needed.
Deep cleaning is indicated when clinical findings show that active periodontal disease is present — not just gum sensitivity or occasional bleeding. The treating dentist assesses this during the examination before recommending treatment.
Before treatment begins, the treating dentist records a full periodontal chart — probing depths at six points around every tooth, bleeding on probing, recession measurements, furcation involvement, and mobility. This chart is the baseline against which the response to treatment is measured at the follow-up appointment. It also identifies the distribution of disease — which quadrants are most affected and in what sequence treatment should proceed.
Deep cleaning is performed one or two quadrants per session to allow the tissues to recover and to keep each appointment to a manageable length. The treating dentist will outline how many sessions are needed, the sequence, and the approximate interval between them. For most patients with mild to moderate disease, four quadrants are completed over two to three appointments.
Deep cleaning involves working below the gumline and into periodontal pockets, where the tissue is inflamed and instrumentation would be uncomfortable without anaesthesia. Local anaesthetic is administered to the quadrant being treated before work begins. The area will remain numb for one to three hours after the appointment depending on the agent used. The treating dentist will confirm what is administered before injecting.
Ultrasonic and hand scalers are used to remove calculus from the root surfaces within the periodontal pockets. Ultrasonic irrigation disrupts the bacterial biofilm within the pockets while removing deposits. Hand curettes are then used to refine the root surfaces — particularly in pockets where the shape of the root or the proximity of adjacent teeth limits ultrasonic access.
After scaling, the root surfaces are planed — smoothed using fine-bladed curettes — to remove any remaining endotoxin-contaminated cementum and to create a clean, smooth surface. A smooth root surface is less hospitable to bacterial re-colonisation and provides a better substrate for gum tissue re-attachment. The tactile feedback from hand instruments allows the treating dentist to assess smoothness directly during the procedure.
Four to six weeks after the final deep cleaning session, the treating dentist records a full post-treatment periodontal chart and compares it to the baseline. Pocket depths that have remained elevated or where bleeding persists are identified for further evaluation. Patients are then placed on a structured maintenance schedule — typically every three to four months — designed to prevent disease recurrence.
Is deep cleaning painful?
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the appointment. The area will be numb for one to three hours afterward. Some sensitivity, mild soreness in the gum tissue, and slight bleeding over the following 24–48 hours are normal. The treating dentist will advise on what to expect and how to manage any post-treatment discomfort. Most patients report the recovery as manageable with standard over-the-counter analgesics.
How many appointments does deep cleaning take?
For most patients, deep cleaning covers four quadrants over two to four appointments — typically one or two quadrants per session. The number of sessions depends on the severity and distribution of disease. The treating dentist will outline the expected sequence at the treatment planning stage. After all quadrants are complete, a reassessment appointment is scheduled four to six weeks later.
Will my gums look different after deep cleaning?
Yes, over several weeks — as the inflammation resolves, gum tissue that was swollen and red becomes firmer and lighter in colour. Reduced swelling may make the gums appear to have receded slightly, exposing more of the tooth surface. This is not recession caused by the cleaning — it is the tissue returning to its healthy, non-inflamed volume. The treating dentist will explain this before treatment so the change is expected.
Does deep cleaning cure gum disease?
Deep cleaning treats active periodontal disease by removing the bacterial deposits that sustain it. It does not reverse bone loss that has already occurred, and it does not eliminate the susceptibility to periodontal disease permanently. The outcome is a stabilised periodontium — which requires maintenance cleaning every three to four months to remain stable. Without ongoing maintenance, disease is likely to recur.
What is the difference between deep cleaning and regular cleaning?
Professional cleaning (prophylaxis) addresses deposits above and just below the gumline in a healthy or lightly inflamed periodontium. Deep cleaning addresses deposits on root surfaces within periodontal pockets — below the level accessible with routine cleaning. They are different procedures for different clinical states. The examination determines which is appropriate.
How much does deep cleaning cost in Makati?
The fee depends on the number of quadrants involved, the severity of deposits, and the number of sessions required. Because deep cleaning is a clinical treatment rather than a routine service, it is quoted based on the individual case after examination. Pricing is provided at consultation.
Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) at DevelopDent is priced at ₱5,000 per quadrant or ₱10,000 per arch. Recommended only when periodontal pockets indicate gum involvement below the gumline.
Cases vary from a single-quadrant treatment to a full-mouth four-quadrant plan staged over several visits. Local anaesthesia, where used, is a separate item. The number of quadrants requiring treatment is confirmed at examination before scheduling begins. Deep cleaning is a planned periodontal treatment, not an upsell — it is recommended only when clinical findings support it.
DevelopDent is located on the ground floor of Legaspi Tower 200 on Paseo de Roxas — a short walk from Greenbelt and accessible from across Makati CBD, Salcedo Village, and BGC.
Directions and getting here →1st Floor, Legaspi Tower 200
107 Paseo de Roxas Street
Legazpi Village, Makati, 1229
Legazpi Village · near Greenbelt
Ayala Triangle · Salcedo Village
If your gums bleed regularly, you have been told you have gum disease, or you want an assessment of your periodontal health — a check-up at DevelopDent gives you a clear clinical picture before any treatment is planned.
