Procedural Expectations

Deep teeth cleaning procedures usually require one or two dental appointments to complete. Your dentist or hygienist will begin the process by viewing your gums with a special probing tool. This inspection will help your dentist determine if periodontal disease has developed. If the disease is significant enough to require intervention, your dentist may suggest a local anesthetic to help alleviate any discomfort or anxiety for the process to follow. Once an anesthetic has been administered (if necessary), your dentist will begin the scaling process. This process involves removing the tartar and plaque from the tooth’s surface. The dentist will then smooth the root of your tooth (root planing) by removing any unnecessary plaque and calculus. Once the procedure has been completed, your dentist may use antibiotics to assist with the healing process. text. Click to select the Text Element.

Candidates for Deep Cleaning

Patients who receive a deep cleaning are often asymptomatic, but occasionally they are experiencing one or several more of the following symptoms :
  .   Halitosis (bad breath)
  .   Swollen or tender gums
  .   Bleeding or inflamed gums
  .   Gum discoloration
If you are struggling with any of these issues, it is important to remember that the longer gum disease is left unchecked, the more damage it can cause in the future. If left untreated long enough, this gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Gum disease should be taken seriously, as should any recommendation from your dentist to undergo a scaling and root planing procedure .