Periodontoloji

Curettage (Deep Cleaning)

Name: Curettage (Deep Cleaning)
Creator: Dore Medical Editorial Board
Published: 2026-05-11

Deep cleaning of tartar and infected tissue beneath the gum line. An in-depth intervention to stop gum disease progression and preserve bone support around your teeth.

Medically reviewed. Last updated: May 18, 2026.

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What Is Curettage?

Curettage is a deep cleaning procedure that removes tartar, plaque, and infected tissue beneath the gum line using specialized instruments. It's commonly known as "deep cleaning." Standard dental scaling removes tartar only from above the gum line and visible tooth surfaces. Curettage cleans deeper—targeting tartar attached to root surfaces below the gum line and infected tissue within gum pockets. This procedure is critical for preventing the progression of advanced gum disease.

Curettage is most often used to treat periodontitis. Periodontitis is an advanced condition in which gum inflammation spreads to the bone, causing deterioration of the connective tissue and bone around teeth. Patients typically present with complaints of bleeding gums, gum recession, bad breath, loose teeth, or widening gaps between teeth. During examination, your dentist measures gum pocket depths. If pockets deeper than 4 mm are detected, curettage is indicated. In gingivitis, the earlier stage of gum disease, standard scaling is usually sufficient.

Before the procedure, a panoramic X-ray is taken to assess the extent of bone loss and create a treatment plan. Local anesthesia is administered because curettage reaches beneath the gum line and can cause sensitivity. The mouth is typically divided into sections (usually one quadrant at a time), and each session treats one section. This spreads treatment across 2–4 appointments. During each session, specialized curette instruments are inserted into the gum pockets to remove tartar attached to root surfaces and infected soft tissue. Root surfaces are smoothed to help the gums reattach to the tooth.

After curettage, you may experience mild sensitivity, temperature sensitivity, and slight bleeding for the first few days. This is normal and resolves quickly. Use the rinses, oral care routine, and medications your dentist recommends. A follow-up appointment is scheduled 1–3 months after treatment to evaluate pocket depth reduction and confirm that inflammation has decreased. When curettage is successful, it prevents tooth loss and restores tissue health. However, periodontitis is a chronic condition—regular follow-up and professional cleanings are essential. In advanced cases, curettage may not be enough, and surgical periodontal intervention may be required. For pricing, visit our curettage cost calculator page.

Treatment Process

Alternative Treatments

Risks and Complications

Periodontal curettage is a standard procedure that has been used for decades to treat gum disease. It is performed under local anesthesia and most cases are completed without complications. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some possible side effects and expected outcomes you should be aware of.

⚡ Temporary Sensitivity and Pain

Sensitivity in your teeth and gums during the first few days after curettage is expected. You may notice increased sensitivity to cold foods and drinks. This is a natural response to the removal of inflamed tissue beneath the gumline and the smoothing of root surfaces. Sensitivity typically decreases significantly within a few days to one week. Your dentist can recommend pain relievers and desensitizing toothpastes to ease this period.

🩸 Bleeding

Mild bleeding during and after curettage is normal. When inflamed gum tissue is cleaned, bleeding is unavoidable and indicates the treatment was performed properly. Bleeding usually stops within a few hours. You may notice slight pinkness in your saliva on the first day. Significant or uncontrolled bleeding is rare, but you should contact the clinic if this occurs.

📏 Gum Recession Appearance

You may notice changes in your gum level after curettage, and your teeth may appear slightly longer. In most cases this is not actual recession: gums that were swollen due to inflammation and tartar buildup return to their normal size after healing, revealing the true form of your teeth. This may look concerning at first, but it is the normal appearance of healthy, healed gums.

🦷 Tooth Mobility Sensation

In cases of advanced periodontal disease, you may experience a temporary sensation of tooth mobility after curettage. This is caused by the removal of the "artificial support" provided by tartar deposits. As your gums and periodontal tissues heal, this mobility sensation usually decreases. However, in teeth with severe bone loss, mobility may persist. In these cases, additional periodontal treatment or alternative approaches will be evaluated.

🔄 Risk of Disease Recurrence

Curettage is highly effective in treating gum disease, but preventing recurrence depends on your post-treatment oral care and regular follow-up visits. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, and irregular checkups can cause the disease to progress again. Curettage clears the problem, but if underlying causes such as inadequate hygiene or smoking are not addressed, the condition will recur.

🦠 Infection Risk (Very Rare)

As with all procedures, there is a theoretical risk of infection after curettage, but this is very rare in practice. Sterile conditions, proper technique, and your adherence to postoperative care instructions minimize this risk. Antibiotic treatment can be provided in necessary cases.

How Are These Risks Managed at Doredent?

Periodontal assessment: Before curettage, your gum pocket depths are measured, bleeding points are identified, and bone support is evaluated with X-rays. Your treatment plan is designed according to your specific case.
Specialist care: At Doredent, curettage is performed by a periodontology specialist.
Local anesthesia: Curettage is performed under local anesthesia so you will not feel pain during the procedure.
Post-treatment follow-up: After curettage, your gum healing, reduction in pocket depths, and oral hygiene habits are monitored during regular checkups.
Patient education: Post-treatment oral care is as important as the curettage procedure itself. At Doredent, patients receive individualized guidance on proper brushing techniques, floss use, and interdental brush recommendations.

When Is Curettage Necessary?

Curettage is not required for every case of gum bleeding. It is not performed for superficial problems that can be resolved with routine dental scaling. Curettage is applied when gum disease has progressed beyond surface-level cleaning and requires intervention below the gum line.

📏 Deep Gum Pockets (4 mm and Above)

Healthy gum pocket depth is 1-3 mm. When pocket depth reaches 4 mm or more, routine scaling cannot reach these depths effectively. Bacterial plaque and tartar that accumulate below the gum line become a source of chronic infection. Curettage cleans these deep pocket deposits and inflamed tissue.

Pocket depth is measured using a periodontal probe.
4-5 mm pockets can be treated with closed curettage.
Pockets of 6 mm and deeper may require open curettage (flap surgery).
The goal after treatment is to reduce pocket depth.

🩸 Chronic Gum Bleeding

Persistent gum bleeding despite dental scaling can indicate that infection has progressed below the gum line. In this case, routine cleaning is not sufficient and curettage is needed to remove the subgingival infection source.

Continuous bleeding during brushing.
Spontaneous bleeding while eating.
If bleeding persists despite dental scaling.
Bleeding is a key sign of underlying periodontal disease.

🦴 Early to Moderate Periodontitis

If gingivitis (gum inflammation) is left untreated, the infection deepens and affects the bone tissue surrounding the tooth. This stage is called periodontitis. Curettage is one of the most effective ways to halt progression in early to moderate periodontitis.

X-rays show early-stage bone loss.
Inflammation and deposits in gum pockets.
Curettage stops disease progression.
Lost bone cannot be regained, but existing bone is preserved.

😤 Chronic Bad Breath

Bacterial colonies that accumulate in gum pockets are one of the most common sources of bad breath. When these pockets, which cannot be reached with routine cleaning and brushing, are cleaned with curettage, significant improvement in bad breath is achieved.

Bad breath that does not go away with brushing and mouthwash.
Odor persisting despite dental scaling.
Removal of the bacterial source in gum pockets.
Results are maintained with oral care after curettage.

🔧 Preparation Before Restorative or Implant Treatment

If restorative treatments such as crowns, implants, or bridges are planned, gum health must be established first. Restorations placed on diseased gums have a short lifespan and high failure risk. Restorative treatment proceeds after gum health is achieved with curettage.

Gum health must be established before placing crowns.
Periodontal status must be stable before implant treatment.
Restorations are not placed on diseased gums.
The correct sequence is curettage first, then restorative treatment.

🔬 Hidden Tartar Below the Gum Line

Some patients may have dark, hard tartar deposits below the gum line (subgingival) even if no visible tartar is present above the gums. These deposits are not visible to the naked eye but are detected with a periodontal probe and X-rays. Curettage removes these hidden deposits.

Subgingival tartar is harder and more harmful.
It is dark brown or black and adheres to the root surface.
Cannot be reached with routine surface cleaning.
Detected through periodontal examination.

After Treatment

Curettage is performed under local anesthesia and completed in one or two sessions (usually half-mouth by half-mouth) depending on the case. The healing process after treatment is quick and comfortable with proper care.

First 24 Hours

Until anesthesia wears off: Local anesthesia lasts 1-2 hours. You should not eat or bite your lip or cheek during this time.
Bleeding: Slight bleeding or pink-tinged saliva is normal for the first few hours. You can apply gentle pressure with a clean gauze pad. Contact your clinic if significant bleeding continues.
Diet: Stick to soft, lukewarm foods on the first day. Avoid very hot, spicy, or acidic foods.
Smoking: Smoking significantly slows healing. Avoid smoking for at least 24 hours, ideally for one week.
Oral care: Do not brush the treated area on the first day. You can use the antiseptic rinse (chlorhexidine) recommended by your dentist.

First Week: Healing

Sensitivity: Sensitivity in your teeth and gums is normal for the first few days. You may notice increased sensitivity to cold foods and drinks. This typically decreases significantly within a week.
Gum appearance: Your gums may look slightly paler and more receded during healing. This is the inflamed, swollen gum tissue healing and returning to its normal size—it is not a cause for concern.
Brushing: Starting on the second day, gently brush the treated area with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid aggressive brushing.
Mouth rinse: Continue using the rinse recommended by your dentist throughout the first week.
Pain management: Use the pain relievers recommended by your dentist. Avoid aspirin-based pain relievers as they may increase bleeding risk.

Healing and Follow-Up

Gum healing: Your gums typically heal significantly within 2-4 weeks. They regain their pink color, bleeding stops, and swelling decreases.
Pocket depth check: Pocket depths are measured again 4-6 weeks after treatment to evaluate treatment effectiveness.
Maintenance care: Regular checkups and professional cleanings after curettage are essential. Periodontal disease is a chronic condition—it does not completely "go away" but can be controlled. Professional cleanings and checkups every 3-6 months prevent the disease from recurring.

Expected Improvements

Bleeding stops: Bleeding during brushing decreases significantly or stops completely after treatment.
Bad breath improves: Significant improvement in bad breath occurs once the bacterial source in gum pockets is removed.
Gum color improves: Red, swollen gums become pink and firm.
Pocket depths decrease: After successful curettage, a 1-3 mm reduction in periodontal pocket depths is expected.

Curettage Is Half the Treatment; Your Care Is the Other Half Curettage is a highly effective step in treating gum disease, but it is not enough on its own. Long-term treatment success depends on your oral hygiene habits and commitment to regular checkups. Brushing twice daily with proper technique, daily flossing, interdental brush use, and regular professional dental cleanings are essential links in this chain. Smoking is the strongest risk factor for periodontal disease and seriously compromises treatment success. At Doredent, patients are scheduled for regular checkups every 3-6 months after curettage. During these visits, we monitor pocket depths, bleeding status, and gum health. We provide supportive cleanings as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is curettage and how is it different from dental scaling?

Curettage is the removal of hardened tartar, bacterial plaque, and inflamed tissue that accumulates beneath the gums using specialized instruments, along with root surface smoothing (root planing). Dental scaling removes deposits visible above the gums and along the gum line. The key difference is depth. Dental scaling is a surface-level maintenance procedure that cleans the gingival sulcus at 1-3 mm depth. Curettage involves accessing deeper gum pockets of 4 mm or more to remove subgingival deposits and inflamed tissue. Curettage is performed under local anesthesia; scaling typically does not require anesthesia. Not every case of gum bleeding requires curettage. For many patients, routine dental scaling is sufficient. Curettage is planned only when periodontal evaluation shows increased pocket depths, subgingival deposits, and when surface cleaning proves inadequate. At Doredent, the need for curettage is determined through periodontal probing measurements and, if necessary, X-rays.

Is curettage painful?

Curettage is performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Before anesthesia, a topical anesthetic gel is applied to the gums to minimize any needle sensation. Some sensitivity in your teeth and gums for a few days after treatment is normal. You may experience increased sensitivity to cold foods and beverages. This sensitivity typically decreases significantly within one week. Pain relievers and desensitizing toothpastes recommended by your dentist can ease this period. The level of sensitivity varies based on disease severity, the depth of cleaned areas, and individual factors. Your first curettage experience may be somewhat sensitive; patients who maintain regular checkups and maintenance treatment find subsequent sessions much more comfortable.

What is the difference between closed curettage and open curettage (flap surgery)?

Closed curettage is a method where cleaning is performed using specialized instruments inserted into gum pockets without cutting the gums. The gum tissue is not opened; instruments work from within the gum pocket. Pockets 4-5 mm deep can be successfully treated with closed curettage. Open curettage (flap surgery) involves surgically lifting the gum tissue to directly visualize and clean root surfaces and bone defects. Open curettage is necessary for deep pockets of 6 mm or more, cases where closed curettage cannot fully remove root surface deposits, or situations requiring bone correction. Both closed curettage and open curettage (flap surgery) are performed at Doredent. Which method is needed is determined through periodontal evaluation based on pocket depths, degree of bone loss, and disease extent. Curettage treatment at Doredent is performed by a periodontology specialist.

Will my gums recede after curettage?

You may notice changes in gum level after curettage, and this is one of patients' most common concerns. However, this is often not true "recession." Before treatment, your gums are swollen, inflamed, and appear larger than normal due to infection. This swollen gum tissue artificially covers the teeth. When the infection is cleaned with curettage and the gums heal, the gum tissue returns to its normal size. This can make teeth appear slightly longer and create a sense of space between teeth. This appearance is not true gum recession but rather the emergence of healthy gum tissue in its normal form. Adaptation occurs within a few weeks. The real concern should be leaving the condition untreated: in untreated periodontal disease, bone loss progresses and true, irreversible gum recession develops.

How many sessions does curettage require?

Curettage is completed in one or two sessions depending on the extent and severity of your case. If disease is limited to a few areas, treatment can be completed in one session. If widespread periodontal problems exist throughout the mouth, two sessions are typically planned: in the first session, one half of the mouth (upper right + lower right or upper left + lower left) is treated, and in the second session, the other half. Factors determining session count include: disease extent, pocket depths, density of tartar accumulation, and patient comfort. Several days to one week are typically allowed between two sessions; the second area is treated after healing from the first session. In advanced cases requiring open curettage (flap), each area may be planned in separate sessions. At Doredent, the number of treatment sessions and plan are determined at the initial periodontal evaluation and clearly explained to you beforehand.

Will I need curettage again?

Possibly. Periodontal disease is a chronic condition; it does not completely "heal" but can be successfully controlled. Curettage removes the source of infection and stops disease progression; however, preventing recurrence depends on your post-treatment care and adherence to regular checkups. If oral hygiene remains inadequate after treatment, smoking continues, or regular checkups are neglected, tartar reaccumulates, gum pockets deepen again, and curettage may need to be repeated. At Doredent, patients are called for regular checkups every 3-6 months after curettage. During these checkups, pocket depths are measured, bleeding status is evaluated, and supportive cleaning (maintenance therapy) is performed if needed. The need for repeat curettage decreases significantly in patients who receive regular maintenance treatment.

What happens if curettage is not done?

If periodontal disease requiring curettage is left untreated, the infection progressively worsens. This progression is slow and painless, so you may not be aware of it; however, the consequences are serious. The progression occurs as follows: gum inflammation (gingivitis) deepens into periodontitis, gum pockets gradually deepen, bacterial accumulation in pockets begins eroding the bone tissue surrounding the tooth (bone loss), as bone loss increases teeth begin to loosen, with advanced bone loss teeth become unable to be retained, and extraction becomes unavoidable. What matters is this: lost bone cannot be regained. Curettage is performed to preserve existing bone and stop loss. Delay means increased loss. For this reason, the earlier periodontal disease is treated, the better the long-term health of your teeth is preserved.

Does smoking affect curettage treatment?

Yes, smoking is the strongest risk factor for periodontal disease and significantly reduces the success of curettage treatment. Smoking's effects on periodontal health are multifaceted. Smoking reduces gum blood circulation and suppresses the immune system; therefore, gum disease progresses faster in smokers and responds more poorly to treatment. Smoking masks gum bleeding, making it harder for you and your dentist to recognize the disease (gums in smokers do not bleed but disease progresses). Healing after curettage is significantly slower in smoking patients. Curettage treatment is also applied to smoking patients; however, the success rate is lower compared to non-smokers. At Doredent, the effect of smoking on treatment success is clearly explained to patients planned for curettage. Quitting smoking significantly increases treatment success; however, even if smoking cannot be stopped, treatment should be performed because untreated periodontal disease progresses much faster.

Does diabetes affect curettage treatment?

Yes. There is a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease: uncontrolled diabetes worsens periodontal disease, and untreated periodontal disease makes blood sugar control more difficult. In diabetic patients, the immune system weakens, susceptibility to gum infections increases, and the healing process slows. For this reason, diabetic patients are a high-risk group for periodontal disease, and regular periodontal monitoring is very important. Curettage can be performed on diabetic patients; however, adequate blood sugar control is important for treatment safety and success. For patients with uncontrolled diabetes, stabilizing blood sugar through endocrinology consultation is recommended first. At Doredent, curettage planning in diabetic patients is done with evaluation of the patient's overall health status.

Treatment Pricing

Pricing

Curettage (Deep Cleaning) Pricing

At Doredent, we offer transparent pricing for our international patients. As every case is different, the final treatment cost depends on your individual evaluation.

The cost of Curettage (Deep Cleaning) varies based on factors such as the number of areas treated (quadrants), the severity of gum disease, and the number of sessions. For an accurate quote, a personalized assessment is recommended.

For pricing details, reach out via WhatsApp or book your initial consultation.

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