3 Dental Procedures You May Be Unfamiliar With

Everyone needs to visit their dentist on a regular basis in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums. In some cases, especially if one's oral health is in poor condition, the dentist may recommend procedures such as a full-mouth debridement, scaling (deep cleaning) and root planing. If your dentist has recommended one of these procedures to you, familiarize yourself with it.

1. Periodontal Debridement

If you haven't seen a dentist in a long time nor maintained proper oral health, you may be told you need a full mouth debridement. While the term may sound intimidating to some, it's easy to explain. Those who have not received routine dental cleanings alongside proper oral hygiene practice may accumulate excessive plaque and tartar on their teeth.

When plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, is not removed through routine brushing and dental cleanings, it turns into tartar. Tartar or calculus is the hard and crusty substance that forms on the teeth and gum line. A heavy accumulation of tartar on the teeth can make it difficult for your dentist to examine your teeth and gums. Full-mouth debridement removes this tartar so your dentist can advise you properly.

After the periodontal debridement, your dentist can clearly see the condition of your teeth and gums and recommend a treatment plan. But what exactly does the full-mouth debridement entail, and how is it done?

The dentist or oral hygienist will use an instrument known as an ultrasonic electric scaler to remove excess tartar from the teeth. The elongated wand has a vibrating tip and irrigates with water to rid your teeth of the debris. You should note that the debridement removes only plaque and tartar above the gumline.

2. Deep Cleaning

Maybe your dentist has recommended a deep cleaning, often referred to as scaling. You may wonder what exactly is meant by the term and how a deep cleaning differs from the ordinary dental cleaning that is typically performed every six months.

An ordinary periodic dental cleaning will only remove surface debris on your teeth. The hygienist will not scale beneath the gumline. Thus, if you have tartar or decay underneath the gumline, you may need a deep cleaning, or scaling.

During a scaling or deep cleaning, the hygienist will scale deeper beneath the gum line to remove tartar. Because deep cleaning is more invasive than regular cleaning, you may be given local anesthesia to numb the area before the procedure begins. In most cases, scaling (deep cleaning) requires two office visits.

Your dentist can determine whether the procedure is necessary by examining your gums using a probe that measures the depth of the gum pockets. If you have deep pockets of gum tissue, bacteria can accumulate there, possibly contributing to bone loss. To prevent such effects, your doctor could recommend a deep cleaning.

3. Root Planing

Root planing often follows scaling and is a method of smoothing out the rough spots on the surface of the roots of the teeth. To minimize pain and discomfort, your dentist may give you local anesthesia.

Afterward, expect gum soreness, which should diminish within a few days. Some individuals experience tooth sensitivity that lasts up to a week. Your dentist may recommend a mouthwash to help sooth your gums and promote healing. You can also use a warm saltwater rinse. So that you heal as quickly as possible, be sure to follow your dentist's and hygienist's instructions.

Speak to your dentist about any concerns you may have regarding the above dental procedures. To prevent further issues, remember to stick to a good oral hygiene plan to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life. Brush, floss, and visit the dentist every six months.