CLEANING

Dental cleaning examinations may or may not require x-rays; if necessary, they are provided at no additional cost and only when indicated.

Dental plaque—a bacterial film that forms on teeth—is the primary cause of periodontal (gum) disease. When bacteria accumulate, they create a whitish biofilm. If left untreated, this biofilm leads to “pockets” between the teeth and gums, where plaque hardens into calculus (tartar).

Regular professional dental cleanings are essential for removing plaque and calculus deposits. The removal of these hardened deposits—known as “scaling”—can be effectively achieved using ultrasonic power scalers.

Power Scalers

Power scalers utilize ultrasonic vibrations to break apart and remove calcified calculus deposits, while simultaneously disrupting bacterial cells. These devices also irrigate pockets and exposed root surfaces with water during treatment.

Advantages of Power Scalers:

• Power scalers are equally effective as manual instruments in shallow periodontal pockets and substantially more efficient in pockets deeper than 4mm.
• They excel at cleaning root surfaces and accessing challenging areas within periodontal pockets.
• Their small tips enable thorough debridement, increased patient comfort, and improved access to complex tooth anatomy.
• Coolant sprays assist in flushing out debris and bacterial by-products, and procedures typically require less time than manual scaling.

Limitations of Power Scalers:

• The process may produce an aerosolized mist, necessitating the use of protective equipment for clinicians.
• Ultrasonic vibration can make it more difficult to assess whether the root surface is completely smooth and free of calculus.
• Power scalers may interfere with certain types of cardiac pacemakers.