A scale and polish are a cleaning process where the hygienist removes any staining and build-up from your teeth. Tartar build-up can be felt on the backs of your teeth. It will be scaled away and then the teeth will have their surface polished.
Different Types of Cleanings
A prophylaxis is a preventative cleaning reserved for people who have healthy mouths. They may have a localized area of gingivitis, but no signs of periodontal disease (as determined by probing around the tooth) and no heavy bleeding during probing or cleaning.
A gross debridement is a cleaning that consists of a generalised removal of plaque and calculus in people with gingivitis or periodontal disease. This is usually done to allow better access and visibility for diagnosis and probing and to allow the gum inflammation to settle down prior to further treatment.
A scale and polish are usually done after a gross debridement on people with moderate to severe gingivitis or early periodontal disease. It is basically a fine-tuning to ensure removal of calculus under the gums and to get the patient on the road to health.
Root planning is treatment for mild to moderate generalized or advanced localized periodontal disease. Antibiotic gels are used in conjunction with root planning to treat periodontal disease and may be placed at the same appointment as the root planning.
Periodontal cleaning is the treatment given to people with periodontal disease at a frequency of at least every three months to prevent further bone loss.
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