Not all dental cleanings were created equal. In fact, the varying degrees of cleanings allow dentists to treat patients according to their needs. For example, a patient who has healthy teeth and gums won’t need a deep scale cleaning. However, a patient suffering from gum disease requires more in-depth care to rid their mouth of oral illnesses and infections.
To help her patients understand the key differences, Dr. Diep Truong, your Dallas, TX dentist, explains the classifications of dental cleanings.
Each Dental Cleaning Serves a Different Purpose
- Prophy. This is the standard dental cleaning that includes plaque and tartar removal, alongside a light tooth buffing. Patients with a clean bill of health during their dental examinations receive a prophy (prophylaxis) cleaning. Additionally, this cleaning is covered by insurance, since it counts as preventative care.
- Full mouth debridement. If you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis—the reversible form of gum disease—then a full mouth debridement is in order. With this cleaning, the hygienist needs to remove the excess build-up before the examination is performed. Once your gingivitis clears up, the dentist will perform prophy cleanings again.
- Scaling and root planing. For patients who have the more advanced stages of gum disease, none of the aforementioned cleanings will prove beneficial. The dentist must access above and below the gum line in order to provide effective treatment. Scaling and root planing (SRP) is a non-surgical treatment for gum disease. During the procedure, your Dallas, TX dentist smooths out the tooth roots to remove the disease-causing bacteria. Afterward, Dr. Truong applies antibiotics onto the root to help quicken the healing process. SRP usually takes several visits before the treatment is complete.
Viva Dental Provides Excellent Preventative Care to Patients
If you’re unsure of which type of dental cleaning will prove most effective for you, visit Dr. Truong. During an examination she can determine which treatments or cleanings your require. To schedule an appointment with our Dallas, TX dental practice, call us at (214) 337-7800. Also, visit our website for services, reviews, to learn more about our dental team. We happily serve new and existing patients in North Oak Cliff, Kessler Park, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, Richardson, Carrolton, Garland, Addison, Farmers Branch, and nearby suburbs.
