A typical professional dental cleaning is done to remove any plaque that you may have missed by brushing and flossing as part of your home care routine. The procedure is directed to the surface and between the teeth above the gum line. The patient leaves the hygienist’s chair with clean, freshly polished teeth and the good feeling that comes with the experience. A “deep cleaning” on the other hand is done to remove the bacteria that has gathered beneath the surface.
A deep cleaning procedure is usually advised for patients who have been diagnosed with an advanced stage of gum disease. It is done as part of a plan to remedy the damage caused by the disease and keep it from spreading and causing bone deterioration and eventually the loss of teeth.
A dental deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is done over two or more sessions while the patient is numbed with a local anesthetic. It typically takes about a half an hour to 45 minutes to complete each treatment. After the initial therapy, your dentist will recommend that you follow up with regular cleanings to be done every 3 months instead of the typical 6-month intervals at least until your gums have healed and there are no bacteria to be found.
If you suspect symptoms of gum disease you should be evaluated asap. Find the highest quality care and a concern for patient comfort at Kendra L. Patterson, DMD in Denver, CO. Call today @ 303-722-9504.