Glossary entry
Scaling and Root Planing
Also called: SRP, non-surgical perio therapy
Scaling and root planing (SRP) is the foundational non-surgical treatment for periodontitis — mechanical removal of supragingival and subgingival biofilm and calculus combined with smoothing of the root surface.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is the systematic mechanical debridement of tooth surfaces — supragingival scaling of crowns and subgingival scaling and planing of root surfaces — performed per quadrant or sextant under local anesthesia as indicated. The goal is biofilm and calculus removal, a biocompatible root surface, and resolution of periodontal inflammation.
SRP is the first-line intervention for chronic periodontitis, stages I-III in the current classification, and the comparator against which adjunctive therapies (air polishing, antimicrobials, photodynamic therapy, lasers) are measured.
When is it used?
SRP is indicated for:
- Initial non-surgical therapy for periodontitis
- Re-treatment of non-responding sites
- Pre-surgical biofilm reduction