When the gums are inflamed, gum pockets become deeper, and they lose bone connections inside. The deeper the pockets are, the easier it is for them to trap plaque deposits and make the gums worse. Managing periodontal pockets requires cleaning and is a necessary step to stop further inflammation. Root planning is the process by which this build up is cleaned and if done regularly allows healthy strong roots. Sometimes periodontists use local anaesthesia depending on the degree of difficulty, but a lot of cases can be treated without this.