Scaling and Root Planing
A non-surgical periodontal therapy procedure involving the removal of calculus and bacterial toxins from tooth roots below the gum line, performed to treat active periodontal disease.
Full Definition
Scaling and root planing (SRP), sometimes called a 'deep cleaning,' is a therapeutic procedure distinct from routine prophylaxis. It involves the instrumentation of root surfaces below the gingival margin to remove subgingival calculus, plaque biofilm, and bacterial endotoxins, with the goal of facilitating periodontal healing. SRP is billed per quadrant under CDT codes D4341 (four or more teeth per quadrant) or D4342 (one to three teeth per quadrant) and is performed only on patients with a diagnosis of periodontitis. Editors must ensure this term is not conflated with 'prophylaxis' or 'periodontal maintenance' in clinical or billing documents, as misuse constitutes a coding error with legal implications. The phrase 'root planing' is sometimes hyphenated; house style should be applied consistently.
Usage
Usage note: SRP is acceptable on second and subsequent references in clinical documents. 'Root planing' (without hyphen) is the standard orthography; avoid 'root-planing' unless house style requires it.
In Context
- "The periodontist recommended scaling and root planing in all four quadrants, to be completed over two visits." — Treatment plan document
- "Billing a periodontal patient for prophylaxis rather than scaling and root planing constitutes downcoding." — Dental billing compliance guide