Scaling and root planing are the deep cleaning procedures which are done in three to four visits spaced about a week apart. During these treatments, the dental patient is given analgesia. To be able to scrape tartar from the visible part of the tooth during scaling procedure, the dental hygienist uses a vibrating ultrasonic device. The dentist uses a curette to probe and clean out the pockets formed around the tooth by receding gums to get to the harder-to-reach tartar beneath the gumline. Then the diseased tissue is being removed. To plane the tooth root to make the surface smooth, the dentist uses the curettes so as to remove sites where oral bacteria lodge within the periodontal pockets that have formed. The procedures minimizes the opportunity for more bacteria taking hold because it's harder for plaque to stick to a surface that is smooth. And with an abrasive paste, the dentist then polishes the tooth. Added to that the dentist gives instructions to patient on oral care maintenance and proper home care procedures, and the use of natural oral rinses. However if the patient have severe gum disease, the dentist may require extensive periodontal surgery.