Teeth Cleaning (Scaling & Polishing)
It is important to remove plaque and calculus to restore periodontal health. A healthcare professional will carry out scaling and debridement to clean below the gumline. This may be done using hand tools or an ultrasonic device that breaks up the plaque and calculus. Root planing is done to smooth rough areas on the roots of the teeth. Bacteria can lodge within the rough patches, increasing the risk of gum disease. Depending on how much plaque and calculus there is, this may take one or two visits Cleaning is normally recommended twice a year, and possibly more often, depending on how much plaque.
Ultrasonic Scaling: Here a specialized instrument called an ultrasonic scaler is used which oscillates at vibrations of almost 25,000 to 40,000 Hertz with a water spray Various tips are available depending on the areas to be scaled. With the help of curettes and ultrasonic devices, all the deposits which are harmful for your teeth are removed and your roots are cleaned to speed up the healing process.
What happens during a cleaning? During your dental cleaning, doctors will use ultrasonic scaler to remove the plaque and calculus from your teeth – above and below the gums. If your teeth are sensitive or your gums bleed, doctor will be able to explain why. They can also remind you about proper brushing and flossing techniques. doctor will also polish your teeth to remove stains and let you leave the dentist’s office with a brighter smile.
What is a dental deep cleaning? Scaling & Root Planning: Scaling and root planing (SRP), also known as dental deep cleaning, is necessary when calculus has collected under your gum line. Calculus that has collected under the gum line is unreachable by regular brushing, flossing, or standard dental cleanings. The deeper cleaning is necessary to combat the resulting damage to a patient’s gums – which eventually leads to tooth loss and even health problems. During the scaling and root planing, the area being treated might be numbed. Then your hygienist will work under the gum line to remove the calculus and debris. Afterward, they will carefully shape (“plane”) the root of your tooth, to remove any areas where the bacteria could potentially begin to accumulate again after your cleaning. You may experience soreness or discomfort in the area treated, but your dentist will offer after-care instructions, and will prescribe an antibiotic as needed. Scaling and root planing can be performed on as little as one quadrant (quarter) of your mouth at a time all the way up to all four quadrants (full mouth).
Root Planing & Curettage: Root planing is used to clean the parts of teeth, which are below the gum-line and cannot be reached with a toothbrush. This can result in gum disease and gum 'pockets' can start to develop around the teeth. This means that the bone supporting the teeth can become lost.
Root planing is used to clean out the gum 'pockets' and remove plaque and tartar from the tooth roots.
This treatment is often performed under a local anaesthetic and may require you to make more than one visit, depending on whether your mouth is treated in sections.
What are the benefits? Root planing is beneficial, as it stops gum disease from getting worse and can prevent tooth loss. However, it is important that you maintain a healthy mouth.
