Oral Prophylaxis/ Teeth Cleaning/ Scaling and Polishing
A bright and clean smile is always a beautiful asset for boost up your confidence. Brushing and flossing daily are vital and a big one part of keeping your mouth healthy . But no matter how much care you take, there is always some food particles which are hidden in the hard to reach areas of the mouth. Which than cause the formation of Plaque and Tartar(Calculus), which are the major reason for the number of dental problems.
Earlier the Teeth Cleaning and polishing treatment is not considered as regular treatment or considered as a wastage of money and time treatment.
In fact today also many patients believe that coming in for regular teeth cleaning is not very important.The truth is, a professional dental cleaning or scaling and teeth polishing is an important service we provide to help you prevent the emergence or growth of dental disease. The medical term for a professional dental cleaning is Oral Prophylaxis, which is “a measure taken for the prevention of a dental disease or condition”. It is the most important tool for prevention of many dental problems right from the tooth decay to the major gum diseases leading to even extraction of the teeth. Studies also shown that these Plaque and Calculus can also be a causative factors for some major medical conditions like the heart diseses.
What is Plaque?
Everybody accumulates plaque on their teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that is composed of bacteria that is adhered to teeth. If teeth are not cleaned well, this plaque can cause inflammation that can lead to the gum pulling away from the tooth to form ‘pockets’ and subsequent gum disease.
What is Tartar (Calculus)?
If plaque is left for long, calcium deposits harden the plaque to form tartar. Tartar is tenacious, and hard to remove with normal brushing and causes the gums to recede. Gum disease will set in, often along with bad breath.
A professional cleaning can be the first step in getting your mouth bacteria under control so that your dental health is protected and your immune system can function normally.
What is the procedure for Teeth Cleaning ?
It involves two steps:
Scaling:
This procedure involves the use of ultrasonic vibrations in conjunction with water to remove any plaque, calculus (tartar), debris or stains deposited onto the tooth surface. The purpose of the ultrasonic vibrations is to make the tartar loose and detach them from the tooth surface and not to cut into the tooth. If the sensations are too strong, the settings will be adjusted along with the applied pressure to make the procedure more comfortable for you.
Surgical Extraction:
In complex cases Surgical extractions are done to remove the teeth that are not easily accessible. Such teeth that are difficult to remove must be taken out in pieces. At Signature Smiles the surgical removal of teeth is done by our experienced Oral Surgeons. A surgical extraction may be needed if:
Polishing:
Polishing is usually carried out after scaling to remove stains and make your teeth feel smooth and shiny. Polishing is done with a soft rubber cup that spins. Prophylaxis paste – a special toothpaste-like material is scooped up into the cup and spun around on the teeth.
Prophyjet polishing uses a pressurized spray of air and water with sodium hydrogen carbonate powder to remove stains, plaque and soft debris from your teeth. It may taste slightly salty.
Deep Cleaning:
Deep dental cleaning which consists of scaling and root planning is done for patients with plaque and tartar deposits below the gum line as is the case in periodontal disease. The plaque and tartar deposits from the root surface are removed so that gum tissues reattach to tooth structure and restore gum health.
It is recommended to get scaling and polishing treatment done every six months to keep your gums and teeth in the best of health. In fact, neglecting your oral health and avoiding teeth scaling and polishing can lead to serious problems in the future and add to the cost of your dental treatment.
What are the number of visits required for the entire procedure?
Number of visits are determined according to the severity of the stains and deposits on your teeth. The examination performed by our dental team during your consultation will give you a clear idea of the number of visits required. In general, most individuals require a single 30-45 minute appointment for a thorough scaling and polishing. Very heavy tobacco users may require two sessions to complete the cleaning process. If you are at the initial stage of gingivitis, that is, if you have mild or moderate deposits of tartar and plaque, teeth cleaning can be done in a single visit along with your consultation. In case of severe gingivitis, two or more sittings may be needed to improve the oral condition.