Instrumentation And Clock Position Practice Test

Scaling and root planing are two distinct steps in periodontal instrumentation with different goals. Scaling focuses on removing plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces, both above and below the gumline, so the bacterial load and irritants are reduced. Root planing goes further by smoothing and flattening the rough, contaminated root surfaces to remove embedded calculus and cementum irregularities, which helps the gums reattach and healing to occur more readily. This distinction makes the statement that scaling removes plaque and calculus above and below the gumline, while root planing smooths rough root surfaces so the gum tissue can heal, the best description. The other explanations mix up the roles: root planing is not primarily about removing cementum, scaling does not polish root surfaces, and scaling does not limit itself to supragingival deposits.