What term describes the process of removing accumulated plaque, calculus, and stains from tooth surfaces?

The process of removing accumulated plaque, calculus, and stains from tooth surfaces is known as scaling. Scaling is a fundamental aspect of periodontal therapy as it involves the careful use of hand instruments or ultrasonic scalers to eliminate tartar and biofilm from both above and below the gumline.

This cleaning procedure is essential for preventing and treating periodontal disease, as it helps to reduce inflammation and promote gum health by removing the irritants (i.e., plaque and calculus) that contribute to periodontal issues. Scaling is typically the first step in non-surgical periodontal treatment and can be followed by other techniques, such as root planing or polishing, to further improve periodontal health.

Root planning, on the other hand, refers specifically to smoothing the root surfaces of teeth after scaling to remove any remaining bacterial toxins. Cleaning and polishing are more general terms that do not specifically imply the thorough removal of calculus and plaque in the context of periodontal therapy. Thus, scaling is the most accurate term to describe this essential procedure.