Gum disease is the most common reason adults lose teeth, and it rarely hurts until it is advanced. A deep cleaning, done with numbing in one or two visits, removes the bacteria below the gum line and lets the gums heal. Dr. Kim measures your gums at every checkup so the problem is caught early. We speak English, Spanish and Korean.
What gum disease is
Gingivitis is the early, reversible stage: red, puffy gums that bleed when you brush. Left alone, the bacteria move below the gum line and the body's response slowly dissolves the bone that holds the teeth. That stage, periodontitis, is not reversible, but it can be stopped.
We measure the pocket depth around every tooth with a small probe. Healthy pockets are 1 to 3 millimeters; 4 millimeters and deeper, with bleeding or bone loss on the X-ray, means treatment is needed.
What to expect
Treatment is called scaling and root planing, better known as a deep cleaning.
1. Measure and X-ray
Gum pockets are charted tooth by tooth and compared with your X-rays, so you see exactly where the problem is.
2. Scaling and root planing
With the area numb, tartar and bacteria are removed from the root surfaces inside the pockets and the roots are smoothed so the gum can reattach. Usually half the mouth per visit.
3. Re-check and maintenance
About six weeks later we re-measure. Most pockets shrink. From then on, a periodontal maintenance cleaning every three to four months keeps the disease from coming back.
Teeth can feel sensitive to cold for a week or two and the gums may look slightly lower as the swelling goes down. That is healing. Deep pockets that do not respond can be referred to a periodontist; most never need it.
Cost and insurance
Most PPO plans cover scaling and root planing when the gum measurements and X-rays show disease, typically with a coinsurance, and Denti-Cal (Medi-Cal Dental) covers deep cleanings within its limits. You get a written estimate per quadrant before we start.
Monthly payment plans are available through CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit, subject to credit approval. We give you a written estimate before any treatment.
Dr. Kim's approach
We do not call a routine cleaning a deep cleaning, and we do not recommend a deep cleaning unless the measurements justify it. You see your gum chart and X-rays before deciding.
Afterward, the goal is to keep you out of the surgery chair: regular maintenance visits and home-care that fits your routine.
Why Happy Light Dental for gum disease treatment
Measured, not guessed
A full gum chart at your checkups, so changes are caught early.
Comfortable
Numbing for every deep cleaning, with breaks whenever you need one.
X-rays on site
Bone levels are checked on low-dose digital X-rays in the office.
Your language
We speak English, Spanish and Korean.
Gum disease questions
Ready to talk about gum disease treatment?
Call (310) 644-4648 or book online. Se habla español · 한국어 진료 가능.