Teeth Cleaning

Dental cleanings serve as the basic preventative services in the dental office, along with dental exams and necessary x-rays. Dental cleanings, in conjunction with flossing and brushing, are meant to keep the teeth and gums looking good, feeling good and in optimal health. Our office provides different levels of dental cleanings to meet the specific needs of our patients.

How often someone should get their teeth cleaned depends on their individual needs. We have patients that come in every 2 months, 3 months, 4 months and 6 months in order to meet their dental goals.

What kind of cleanings are there?

There are different types of cleanings based on the needs of our patients:

Prophy: This is your basic cleaning meant for healthy individuals without a history of gum disease.

Periodontal Maintenance: This level of cleaning is designed to meet the needs of our patients with a history of gum disease that is currently under control. A dental laser is often used during these appointments to comfortably address deeper pockets and areas that are bleeding.

Gum Tissue Treaments, Root Debridement Therapy: When gum disease is not under control, there can be a lot of inflammation that damages the gums and bone around the tooth. In this situation, we take a proactive approach to get the disease under control. These treatments often include putting the teeth to sleep to ensure comfort, a combination of deep cleaning and laser therapy, and antibiotic therapy.

How are dental lasers used in cleanings?

We use dental lasers for two different purposes:

1. Sterilization of the pockets is achieved by using the laser to remove the residual bacteria after cleaning the area. Laser technology allows us to strip the infected gum tissue out of the pocket without affecting the healthy gum tissue.
2. Simulation of the body's natural healing process is done by using the laser to provide a warm pulse of energy in the pockets.

What antibiotic therapy is used during the gum tissue treatments?

In areas where the gum disease is particularly destructive, we use an antibiotic therapy called Arestin. Arestin is a yellow powder that is put into the deepest pockets after they have been cleaned and treated with the laser. Arestin minimizes the bad bacteria in the area for up to two weeks, allowing for maximal healing.

Will it hurt?

We make a serious effort to keep our patients comfortable. In addition to the information in the Comfort & Sedation section of our website, we have many things we use to minimize pain and sensitivity.