Different Types of Dental Cleanings
Two times a year, you should visit your dentist for a professional hygienic cleaning and dental exam in order to help maintain your teeth and to make sure that there are no emerging oral health conditions that require further treatment.
But did you know that your dentist may employ a variety of cleaning techniques depending on your specific needs?
Here, we explain some of the terminology you might hear at the dental office and how it relates to which type of dental cleaning you require.
Prophylaxis Cleaning
A prophylaxis cleaning is a routine cleaning that is meant to remove a specified amount of plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth, between your teeth, and on your gums. It is most commonly performed on patients who have an overall healthy mouth and who practice good oral hygiene. Additionally, it will remove surface stains from your teeth.
This cleaning will most likely be performed at one of your regularly scheduled dental appointments. It is also usually performed by a dental hygienist, but your dentist has the skills and knowledge to perform a prophylaxis cleaning too if need be.
Gross Debridement
If you haven't seen a dentist in a long time, you're likely to have a significant amount of plaque buildup on and between your teeth, as well as on your gums and tongue. A thorough debridement, also known as a deep cleaning, is a procedure that eliminates plaque and tartar from all areas of your mouth.
Your dentist will inspect your mouth to determine whether or not you require a gross debridement cleaning procedure. If necessary, a gross debridement will be carried out prior to your routine prophylaxis cleaning.
Scaling and Root Planing
Patients suffering from gum disorders such as gingivitis or periodontitis are often required to undergo a more invasive, non-surgical teeth cleaning method.
During a scaling and root planing procedure, your dentist will do a thorough cleaning of your gums, gum line, and any other tissues that support your teeth. It may take many dental sessions to finish the cleaning since they need to smooth out the surface of your tooth root as well as remove any plaque and tartar that has formed on it.
Periodontal Maintenance
Patients who suffer from common oral health concerns such as gingivitis or periodontitis will usually require periodontal care in order to keep these illnesses under control and prevent them from progressing.
These individuals often require many visits over a specific length of time or until all oral health concerns have been addressed in order for the dentist to thoroughly clean their whole mouth.