Specialized Dental Cleanings: What You Need to Know

Most people are well-acquainted with regular dental cleanings, which involve a visual examination, removal of plaque and tartar, and brushing with gritty toothpaste. However, depending on what your dentist discovers during a routine dental cleaning, they may suggest a more involved and specialized cleaning to address a deeper problem. There are three basic types of specialized dental cleanings, most commonly used to address excessive plaque and tartar buildup related to periodontal disease.

Scaling and Root Planing

This type of cleaning is for dental patients who have gingivitis or periodontitis and provides an ultra-deep cleaning of the teeth and gum pockets. Scaling is the process used to remove excessive plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and in the gum pockets below the gum line that form as a result of gum disease. This process removes bacteria and helps to reduce gum inflammation. Planing is the process of smoothing the roots of the teeth, aiding in the reattachment of the gums to the teeth to eliminate gum pockets that have formed. If the patient has gingivitis, one appointment for scaling and root planing is usually all that is needed. However, a patient with periodontitis will typically require multiple visits and possibly anesthetics, depending on the severity and level of discomfort. Learn more about scaling and root planing from the American Dental Association.

Periodontal Maintenance

For individuals undergoing treatment for periodontitis, periodontal maintenance cleanings are specialized dental cleanings designed to treat gum disease and prevent it from worsening. Similar to scaling and root planing, these cleanings target and remove excess plaque and tartar. However, periodontal maintenance cleanings are typically performed more frequently, usually every three to four months. This regularity helps promptly eliminate harmful bacteria, enhancing the effectiveness of periodontitis treatment. Additionally, during these appointments, the dental hygienist examines the gum pockets and uses an antiseptic rinse to disinfect the area and control the infection.

Gross Debridement

Gross debridement cleanings, also known as “gross scale,” are the deepest of dental cleanings and are used for dental patients with extreme amounts of plaque and tartar buildup. Often required of those who have avoided regular dental cleanings for many years, gross debridement cleanings tackle hardened tartar and plaque using specialized tools designed to loosen excessive buildup. Once the hardened plaque and tartar have been removed, a regular dental cleaning is performed to further clean the now fully exposed teeth and gums. Debridement cleanings are the first step in treating severe periodontal disease after a long-term period of neglecting oral hygiene.

A dentist may recommend gross debridement cleaning if the patient has:

• Excessive plaque and tartar buildup

• Bleeding gums from simple brushing and flossing

• Chronic bad breath

• Swollen and tender gums

• Loose teeth

• Receding gums

• Signs of infection around the teeth and gums

If you would like to learn more about specialized dental cleanings, including when they might be recommended and what they entail, contact us.