SCALING & ROOT PLANING / DEEP TEETH CLEANING WILMINGTON, NC

Edgerton & Glenn provide a Variety of Preventative, Restorative, and Cosmetic Dental Services to Wilmington, NC Residents. Call To Schedule Your Consultation Today.

Deep Teeth Cleaning For Oral Health

Over time, especially without regular trips to the dentist for cleanings and examinations, plaque, tartar, and debris can build up both at and below the gumline. As the issue develops, the solution may become more advanced. Instead of a regular cleaning, a more intensive procedure may be required to remove the buildup from below the gumline. The most common treatment for the spread of plaque, tartar, and debris below the gumline is deep teeth cleaning (scaling and root planing).

Once you have made an appointment with the dentist for an examination and cleaning, the dentist may determine that the excessive debris and bacteria need to be removed, and can be properly addressed through a deep teeth cleaning or an appointment that is sometimes referred to as a root planing and scaling. Deep teeth cleaning differs from a regular cleaning, where your dentist cleans your tooth along the gum line. A scaling and root planing involves your dentist cleaning below your gum line to remove bacteria, debris, tartar, and plaque that have collected there. When the dentist performs this type of cleaning, your gums will begin the healing process from the infection and inflammation that was festering there previously, which in turn will help prevent future periodontal diseases from developing or worse tooth infections requiring root canal therapy.

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1426 Commonwealth Dr. Suite A, Wilmington, NC 28403

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Deep Teeth Cleaning Procedure

Depending on the severity of your case, most of the time, a deep teeth cleaning procedure only requires two appointments. The dentist or hygienist begins by reviewing your gums with a special tool because dentistry needs to determine if periodontal disease has developed. Should the dentist note at your appointment that the gum disease and inflammation are serious enough, the dentist may offer a local anesthetic to allow you to be as comfortable as possible while getting your teeth and gums back to a healthy state.

Once the dentist administers the necessary anesthetic, the scaling process will start. The hygienist removes the tartar and plaque from the tooth’s surface. Then the hygienist will address the root of your tooth or the root planing portion of the procedure and remove any unnecessary dentin and surface cementum. After the hygienist has completed the cleaning, the dentist may offer antibiotics or an antibiotic rinse to help your mouth heal and get back to a healthy state without infection or inflammation.

Deep Cleaning Benefits

The first and most important benefit to having a deep teeth cleaning is that the dentist is addressing your gum disease and arresting it before it can worsen, causing tooth or bone loss. Additionally, actively stopping periodontal disease from developing further than the already present inflammation and bleeding of the gums allows your mouth to go back to a healthy and stable state. Now you do not have to experience significant tooth decay, which can result in the loss of a tooth or teeth. And it is important to note that gum disease affects more than just your gums, and there have been links to dementia and Alzheimers. Gum disease can place you at increased risk for heart disease and respiratory issues. While it is not as serious as tooth loss, gum disease also causes bad breath due to bacterial activity. When a deep cleaning is performed, and the bacteria can no longer thrive below the gum line, halitosis is almost instantly improved.

Please call and schedule a consultation with the dentist if you have not had a dental appointment in a while and believe that gum disease may be affecting certain areas of your mouth.

Candidates for Deep Teeth Cleaning and Scaling & Root Planing

The dentist will determine if a deep cleaning is the best treatment plan for you, but if you find you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be a candidate for a deep teeth cleaning:

  • Tender or swollen gums
  • Chronic halitosis
  • Inflamed or bleeding gums
  • Change in the color of your gums from their natural color

Deep Teeth Cleaning Aftercare

During the days and weeks following the more invasive appointments, eating softer foods will keep you comfortable. Once the healing process takes hold, you can gradually include harder and more abrasive foods. Once your dentist has completed your scaling and root planing and you are fully healed, you need to take care of your teeth and your jaw to keep your overall health strong.

Deep Teeth Cleaning Costs

Costs for each procedure vary depending on how long the procedure takes, what materials the procedure requires, how many visits the procedure requires, and the amount of work the dentist is required to do. It may surprise you to know, but dental insurance may or may not cover some of the costs for these, as well as elective procedures, as they lead to improved overall dental health and long-term benefits. If you do not have dental insurance coverage or you have any questions about payment options for your treatment plan, you are more than welcome to talk to our staff at any time. Your budget’s health is just as important as your mouth’s health.

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High-Quality Care Provided by a Team You Can Trust

At Edgerton & Glenn Cosmetic and General Dentistry, it is our goal to build lifelong relationships with our patients centered around trust. It is our mission to help you to achieve and maintain optimal oral health. Please contact us to set up an appointment for deep teeth cleaning at (910) 256-9230.