Deep Dental Cleaning
Deep Dental Cleaning
A common question that patients have is: “What is the difference between a regular dental cleaning and a deep dental cleaning?”.
The answer is that they are different from each other! Both are important for your oral health and today we will help explain and remove the mist surrounding deep dental cleanings.
A dental deep cleaning is a periodontal procedure that is a treatment for early stage gum disease or a preliminary procedure for a surgical treatment. The goal of a deep teeth cleaning is to remove tartar and bacteria below the gumline. A routine dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar above the gumline.
The deep dental cleaning procedure is called Scaling and Root Planning. All cleaning is done ~3mm deep to the gum line. Here lies gum pockets between the tooth root and gum.
Scaling is the process of removing the calculus and plaque attached to the tooth’s surface. This is done using a special dental tool called an ultrasonic scaling tool. An irrigation process is used adjacent to the scaling and occasionally an antimicrobial agent is applied below the gums to reduce future growth of bacteria.
Root planning is a process which involves the cementum (surface covering the root) and surface dentin. The cementum and surface dentin is embedded with tartar, toxins, and unwanted microorganisms. The root of the tooth is smoothed (less ridges for tartar to latch onto and build) in order to increase healing and prevent bacteria from colonizing.
Apart from that, antibiotics or mouth rinses can help decrease the growth of unwanted bacteria to help the healing process and control the infection.
Sun Dentistry dentists can examine and offer deep dental cleaning. We are open 7-days a week and offer direct-billing to insurance companies for this procedure. With morning and evening appointments available, don’t hesitate to call and book your appointment.
When Do You Need A Dental Deep Cleaning
Our dentists will recommend a deep dental cleaning when it is necessary. The signs our dentists look for are mostly related to periodontal disease (gum disease).
Using a thorough examination of the mouth as well as x-rays, your dentist will determine the necessity for a dental cleaning on a variety of factors:
- Gum Condition
- Amount of Tartar Present
- Depth of Pockets
- Progression of Periodontitis (gum inflammation)
These factors are considered and when they are classified as moderate to severe periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend a deep teeth cleaning as a treatment. Don’t worry if your dentist recommends a deep teeth cleaning. The goal is to restore your oral health and get your teeth and gums healthy!
Bad Breath
Bad breath is also known as ‘halitosis’. Bad breath can be caused by a wide variety of factors and one of them is a build of plaque and bacteria. When these pockets of plaque develop below the surface, it will start building up above the gumline as well. This can result in bad breath.
The first step is to have a dental cleaning and a deep dental cleaning may be the solution to this problem!
Benefits of a Deep Dental Cleaning
Once a deep dental cleaning is performed, it can have long lasting benefits. Research has shown that it can prevent future bacteria build up as well as traveling to other places in your body. Bacteria can travel into the bloodstream and to other parts of the body and can sometimes lead to heart and respiratory disease. Deep teeth cleaning can help this bacteria.
Protecting your teeth will help keep them healthy for years to come. It prevents tooth decay and loss so you can keep your teeth longer. Scaling and root planning can help your mouth look better as well as reduce bad breath and superficial stains can help your teeth look whiter.
Start protecting your teeth today by booking an appointment with us. Our periodontal specialists will work with you to have the best deep dental cleaning so you can look your best. Sun Dentistry has different locations including Burnaby and Richmond.
For your convenience we are open 7-days a week with morning and afternoon appointments. We also direct-bill to insurance companies.
