Home care is an extremely important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but even excellent home care cannot prevent bacteria and plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it can harden, becoming calculus.
Our experienced team offers exceptional periodontal maintenance to keep your smile healthy and to treat gum disease in the mouth. During your visit, our team will perform an oral examination as well as an oral hygiene cleaning.
We will recommend a maintenance program that is best for you based on how quickly you develop calculus and your past and current periodontal health.
Oral Examination & Cleaning
During maintenance appointments, we will perform a visual inspection to detect cavities, abnormalities in existing dental restorations, and any new gum and bone recession. Digital x-rays may also be taken when deemed appropriate.
A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, removes dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth using specialized instruments to remove these deposits without harming the teeth. We first utilize an ultrasonic device that uses vibrations to loosen any larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces manually.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing helps treat gum disease and restore your oral health. Specialized dental instruments remove dental plaque and calculus beneath the gums, and the tooth roots are smoothed. This specialized procedure helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother surface.