When periodontitis (gum disease) gets to an advanced stage a normal prophylaxis is not enough to clean a patient's teeth. In this case more thorough periodontal therapy may be necessary. This therapy can include scaling and root planing. Our hygienists use an ultrasonic cleaning device and diode lasers to remove plaque and calcified bacterial deposits under the gum line. The goal of scaling and root planing is to restore and stabilize the teeth and gums and arrest the periodontal disease.