In periodontal therapy, what is the primary purpose of scaling and root planing?

• A. Remove plaque and calculus to reduce inflammation and pocket depth and promote healing.
• B. To whiten teeth.
• C. To place implants.
• D. To remove calculus.

Answer: (A)

Scaling and root planing target the bacterial biofilm that sustains periodontal disease. By removing plaque and calculus from tooth and root surfaces, the bacterial load drops, gingival inflammation decreases, and pocket depths can shrink, giving the tissues a chance to heal and reattach. Scaling cleans above and below the gum line, while root planing smooths the root surface to discourage new plaque adherence and endotoxin activity, supporting how the tissues respond after debridement. This approach focuses on controlling the disease process itself rather than cosmetic whitening or implant placement. Thus, the primary purpose is to remove plaque and calculus to reduce inflammation and pocket depth and promote healing.