Scaling and root planing or what some people call a "Deep Cleaning" is a step above regular cleaning that you might receive at your general dentist's office and a step below laser or surgical procedure. It is a non-surgical technique that removes plaque and calculus below the gum line.
Tooth root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed with specially designed instruments. This procedure will generally arrest periodontal infection that is limited to the gum tissues and not yet advanced into the bone.