The in-office dental cleaning is considered a professional dental cleaning performed by your team's Registered Dental Hygienist. A general dental exam is included with your in-office cleaning. The cleaning typically includes:

Plaque and Tartar Removal:

Your hygienist will thoroughly remove both plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth.

What is Plaque:

Plaque is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva that forms a sticky, almost invisible film on the surface of your teeth. Removal of this plaque is very important to your overall health. The bacteria produce toxins that will inflame your gums and can begin the early stages of periodontal disease.

What is Tartar:

Tartar is found above and below the gum line and requires special dental instruments to remove. The tartar is plaque that has been on the tooth surface for so long that it has hardened and is fully attached to the tooth surface.

Teeth polishing:

Helps remove plaque and various stains that are not normally removed during your at home tooth brushing or scaling done in the office.

What is scaling and root planing:

Scaling and root planing is used as the first line of treatment if you have received a diagnosis of periodontal disease after a comprehensive exam has been completed. Scaling and root planing are procedures that are performed around, below and under the gum line, crowns and roots of affected teeth, to remove bacterial deposits.

To learn more about what Periodontal Disease is please visit our Question and Answer Section under Welcome Patients and speak to your dental team about any concerns you may have.

Read more: www.Answers.com/Topic/Root-planing

Note: For more information on dentistry, please visit the following two websites: The American Dental Association Website www.ADA.org and WebMD at www.WebMD.com or visit our links page. Please ask our knowledgeable staff any questions or concerns you may have. They are there to help you!