The type of cleaning that is done on a patient's teeth always depends on the condition of their mouth. That condition is normally classified into three different categories.
1. Healthy Mouth - A healthy mouth is characterized by coral pink gums (or darker shades of brown, depening on ethnicity). The texture of healthy gums can be related to stippling, like that of an orange peel. The pockets, or spaces between the gum and the tooth, are 3 mm or less. In a healthy mouth, there is gum tissue covering the space between the teeth.
2. Gingivitis - A patient that has gingivitis will often notice that their gums are red, purple, swollen, and will bleed fairly easily. Gums will also look smooth and shiny, instead of like an orange peel. Gingivitis can occur only in one part of the mouth, or can affect the entire mouth. The causes of gingivitis are bacterial plaque and also irritations from hard deposits called calculus.
3. Periodontal Disease - Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria infects the mouth and the immune system attacks the bone in attempts to remove the bacteria and toxins. Periodontal disease is often something that is inherited. Like gingivitis, periodontal disease can be limited to certain parts of the mouth or can be found through the entire mouth. Signs of this disease are bad breath, loose teeth, teeth falling out, and pus exuding from gums. Because it is genetic, periodontal disease is not curable, but is treatable by keeping the disease under control with routine follow-up treatments.
Based on the previously discussed potential mouth conditions, the dentist will decide what type of cleaning is necessary for the patient's mouth.
Prophylaxis - This type of cleaning is preventative. It is done on patients with healthy mouths, that may have a small area of gingivitis, but no periodontal disease or heavy bleeding during cleaning.
Gross Debridement - Done to remove plaque and calculus from the mouth of a patient with gingivits or periodontal disease, it helps to facilitate better access to teeth for diagnosis and probing. It also allows gum swelling to settle down before treatment.
Scale and Polish - Scaling and polishing is normally done after a gross debridement and is done on patients that have moderate to severe gingivitis or early periodontal disease. This procedure is done to make sure patients are on the road to good oral health.
Root Planing - Often referred to as a "deep cleaning", a root planing is generally proceded by a gross debridement. It is used to treat mild to moderate generalized or advanced localized periodontal disease.
Periodontal Cleaning - This is the normal treatment givent ot patients with periodontal disease, done on a three month (or more often) basis to ensure that the patient does not have further bone loss.
Adapted from an article by Edilia Glenski, DMD, FAGD, from angieslist.com
1. Healthy Mouth - A healthy mouth is characterized by coral pink gums (or darker shades of brown, depening on ethnicity). The texture of healthy gums can be related to stippling, like that of an orange peel. The pockets, or spaces between the gum and the tooth, are 3 mm or less. In a healthy mouth, there is gum tissue covering the space between the teeth.
2. Gingivitis - A patient that has gingivitis will often notice that their gums are red, purple, swollen, and will bleed fairly easily. Gums will also look smooth and shiny, instead of like an orange peel. Gingivitis can occur only in one part of the mouth, or can affect the entire mouth. The causes of gingivitis are bacterial plaque and also irritations from hard deposits called calculus.
3. Periodontal Disease - Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria infects the mouth and the immune system attacks the bone in attempts to remove the bacteria and toxins. Periodontal disease is often something that is inherited. Like gingivitis, periodontal disease can be limited to certain parts of the mouth or can be found through the entire mouth. Signs of this disease are bad breath, loose teeth, teeth falling out, and pus exuding from gums. Because it is genetic, periodontal disease is not curable, but is treatable by keeping the disease under control with routine follow-up treatments.
Based on the previously discussed potential mouth conditions, the dentist will decide what type of cleaning is necessary for the patient's mouth.
Prophylaxis - This type of cleaning is preventative. It is done on patients with healthy mouths, that may have a small area of gingivitis, but no periodontal disease or heavy bleeding during cleaning.
Gross Debridement - Done to remove plaque and calculus from the mouth of a patient with gingivits or periodontal disease, it helps to facilitate better access to teeth for diagnosis and probing. It also allows gum swelling to settle down before treatment.
Scale and Polish - Scaling and polishing is normally done after a gross debridement and is done on patients that have moderate to severe gingivitis or early periodontal disease. This procedure is done to make sure patients are on the road to good oral health.
Root Planing - Often referred to as a "deep cleaning", a root planing is generally proceded by a gross debridement. It is used to treat mild to moderate generalized or advanced localized periodontal disease.
Periodontal Cleaning - This is the normal treatment givent ot patients with periodontal disease, done on a three month (or more often) basis to ensure that the patient does not have further bone loss.
Adapted from an article by Edilia Glenski, DMD, FAGD, from angieslist.com
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