Guide to Periodontal Curettage and Root Planing: The Gum Treatment Step After Scaling

Root planing is a treatment that scrapes tartar and part of the contaminated cementum from the root surface below the gums to make the root smooth, and periodontal curettage (subgingival curettage) also removes inflamed tissue inside the periodontal pocket. They are used at the periodontitis stage that scaling alone cannot reach. In Korea they are procedures with set health insurance fees, so the patient's share follows outpatient rates such as 30% at a dental clinic. The scope of treatment and the number of visits depend on pocket depth.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

Root planing	Removes tartar and part of the cementum left on the root to make the root surface smooth (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Subgingival curettage	Removes tartar under the gums along with the inflamed gum tissue (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Health insurance	Root planing and periodontal curettage are insured procedures, and fees for these difficult procedures were adjusted in 2013 (source: Ministry of Health and Welfare)
Outpatient copayment at a dental clinic	30% of the total covered medical cost (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Deep periodontal pockets	Hard to eliminate completely by non-surgical methods alone, so surgery may be needed (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)

How does it differ from scaling?

Scaling mainly removes plaque and tartar exposed above the gumline. Root planing differs in that instruments are placed into the periodontal pocket below the gums to smooth even the tartar and contaminated layer on the root surface.

When the root surface becomes smooth, bacteria find it harder to reattach, and the swollen gum has room to reattach firmly to the root. Periodontal curettage is the treatment that also clears the inflamed tissue left on the pocket wall during this process.

In which cases is root planing performed?

The KDCA explains that root planing is needed for periodontitis that requires further treatment even after tartar removal. The dentist looks at pocket depth, bleeding sites, and the bone height on X-rays to decide which teeth and areas to treat.

As periodontitis advances, the attachment between gum and tooth breaks down and a pouch-shaped periodontal pocket forms. The deeper this pocket is, the less a toothbrush and floss reach the bottom, so tartar cannot be removed by home care alone and professional treatment such as root planing becomes necessary.

When gum bleeding and swelling continue even after scaling
When pockets are deep and tartar remains below the gums
When inflammation must be reduced first before gum surgery
When the pocket at a certain site has deepened again at a regular checkup

How is the treatment carried out?

Local anesthesia is used to reduce pain, and the mouth is often divided into several areas treated over multiple visits. After a set period following treatment, pocket depth is measured again to confirm that the inflammation has calmed.

If deep pockets remain at the re-examination, care can move to flap surgery, in which the gum is cut open so tartar can be removed under direct view. If the result is good, it leads to maintenance care at 3 to 6 month intervals.

What about cost and health insurance?

Root planing and periodontal curettage are medical procedures with set health insurance fees. When the Ministry of Health and Welfare widened scaling coverage in 2013, it also adjusted the fees for these two difficult procedures.

The patient's share is calculated with outpatient copayment rates such as 30% at a dental clinic, 40% at a dental hospital in a dong area, and 50% at a general hospital in a dong area. The total depends on the number of teeth treated and the number of visits, so when you receive the treatment plan, ask about the schedule by area and the expected cost together.

X-rays, local anesthesia, and prescriptions on the same day as root planing are each billed as separate fee items. The receipt and the itemized statement show how covered and uncovered charges were divided.

What changes after treatment?

As the swollen gums settle, teeth may look longer or gaps between teeth may look wider. The root surface may be exposed and feel sensitive for a while. The KDCA explains that sensitivity after tartar removal usually fades over 1 to 2 weeks, and similar symptoms can appear with treatment that reaches under the gums.

To keep the benefit of treatment, clean between the teeth every day with interdental brushes and floss, and attend the rechecks at the intervals the dentist sets. Smoking lowers the effect of periodontal treatment, so it is best avoided during treatment. If pus comes from the gums or swelling gets worse after root planing, contact the dentist even before your appointment.

Common myths and facts

Myth: Gum treatment makes the gums recede and ends up making things worse.

Teeth looking longer is a change that appears as gums swollen by inflammation settle. If inflammation is left alone, bone loss can keep progressing.

Myth: Once you have root planing, you never need it again.

If tartar and bacteria build up again, periodontitis can recur, and sites that have deepened at regular rechecks are sometimes treated again.

Frequently asked questions

Does root planing hurt?

It is done under local anesthesia, so pain during treatment is usually small. Throbbing or sensitivity can appear after the anesthesia wears off, and painkillers may be used as the dentist advises.

How many visits does root planing need?

The mouth is often divided into several areas, so you visit several times depending on the scope. The exact number is set by the dentist who has seen the pocket examination results, and a recheck visit after treatment is scheduled separately.

Are periodontal curettage and flap surgery the same treatment?

No. Periodontal curettage smooths the inside of the pocket without cutting the gum, while flap surgery (open curettage) is a surgery in which the gum is cut and folded back to remove deep tartar and diseased tissue.

How should I brush on the day of treatment?

Instructions on the extent of brushing and the use of mouthwash on the day of treatment can differ between dental offices, so it is safest to follow the precautions you were given right after treatment. The more the gums settle, the more important cleaning between the teeth becomes.

If I have already used my insured scaling, is root planing also uncovered?

The once-a-year limit is the standard for scaling where treatment ends with tartar removal alone. Root planing is a separate periodontal procedure, so check with the dentist item by item whether insurance applies.

References

Korean version →