Under normal circumstances, scaling does not require anesthesia, and works by removing tartar and plaque using the scraping of a hand scaler or the high-frequency oscillation of an ultrasonic scaler.
Scaling, or periodontal scaling, is the foundation of periodontal treatment and the most effective way to remove plaque and tartar from the gums. Whether it is a hand scaler or an ultrasonic scaler, it removes localized irritation from the gums, during which bleeding may occur due to irritation from the instrument or inflammation of the periodontal tissues, but generally does not cause intense pain.
If the scaling process produces intolerable pain or patients who are very sensitive to pain are advised to give timely feedback to the doctor, supplemental anesthesia can be provided to relieve the pain.