When you have active periodontal disease, routine home maintenance is not enough as it generally focuses on areas of the tooth that are above the gumline.
Why You Need to See a Dental Hygienist
Scaling and root planing procedures remove plaque, tartar (calculus), and bacterial toxins (biofilms) from tooth surfaces below the gumline. Only a trained Dental Hygienist or Dentist can complete this vital dental service.
At Absolute Dentistry, we recommend patients visit the clinic for scaling and root planing twice a year – or more, depending on their individual health needs. The frequency of your visits is determined during your checkup with the Dentist and after an evaluation by your Dental Hygienist.
During your visit, we will evaluate the following:
- Examine jawbone levels with digital X-rays
- Measure the depth of periodontal pockets
- Check for loose teeth or bleeding gums
- Remove plaque or tartar above and below the gum line
- Talk with you about the effectiveness of your home care
- Perform an oral cancer screening inside the mouth and the tissues of the head and neck
More Than a Teeth Cleaning
Regular periodontal and preventative maintenance visits help us break the stronghold of bacteria in your gums and slow or eliminate their destructive effects. Removal of tartar (calculus) and bacteria (biofilms) are crucial to treating gingivitis, controlling periodontal disease and preventing tooth decay. How do we accomplish this?
Ultrasonic Scaling
An ultrasonic scaler consists of a wand with a small scaling tip that produces a soft ultrasonic vibration and a gentle flow of water. As the tip moves along the tooth surface, it makes quick, small vibrations that break up plaque and tartar. These vibrations give you a tickling sensation and cause millions of microscopic bubbles to form in the water.
The Benefits of Ultrasonic Scaling
Scaling your teeth with an ultrasonic scaler is an effective and efficient method for helping you keep your healthy and beautiful smile. Ultrasonic scaling can be more comfortable than hand scaling because the tip is extremely small. Also, much of the work is done without disturbing the gum tissue. In addition, we can add a medicated solution to the water to treat any infection and aid in healing.
Our dental practice always welcomes new patients no referral is required!
