Which dental procedure is typically indicated for a patient with deep pockets after periodontal scaling?

Root planing is indicated for a patient with deep pockets after periodontal scaling because it targets the removal of cementum and dental plaque from the root surface, facilitating smoother root surfaces that contribute to periodontal health. This procedure is essential after periodontal scaling, as it helps manage and reduce the depth of periodontal pockets, enhances the healing of the periodontal tissues, and promotes tissue reattachment. By smoothing the root surfaces, root planing assists in reducing inflammation and allows for better adaptation of the periodontal tissues.

The other procedures listed, while important in other contexts, do not directly address the immediate need for improving pocket depth and periodontal health following scaling. Functional crown lengthening is primarily used for aesthetic or restorative purposes involving the preparation of teeth for crowns or other restorations but does not address periodontal disease directly. Bone grafting may be indicated in cases of bone loss but is not specifically a follow-up to scaling without an immediate need to augment bone. Provisional restorations are temporary solutions used in restorative dentistry and are less relevant in the management of deep pockets after periodontal scaling.