There are two levels of professional dental cleaning, and which type you need depends on the health of your gums and how much buildup has accumulated below the gumline.
A regular prophylaxis cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and just above the gumline. It is appropriate for patients with healthy gums or mild gingivitis. A deep cleaning, clinically called scaling and root planing, goes below the gumline to remove bacterial deposits from the root surfaces of teeth where periodontal pockets have formed. It is the standard treatment for patients with gum disease that has progressed beyond the early stage. We serve patients from Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Hopkinton, Holliston, Southborough, and Milford.
How Each Type of Cleaning Works
Regular Cleaning
Our hygienists use hand instruments and ultrasonic scaling tools to remove plaque and calculus from the tooth surfaces and along the gumline. The teeth are then polished. This typically takes 45 to 60 minutes.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
This procedure is performed under local anesthesia and typically completed in two appointments, treating one half of the mouth at a time. The hygienist cleans below the gumline, removing deposits from the root surfaces and smoothing the roots to discourage bacteria from reattaching. A follow-up visit is scheduled 4 to 6 weeks later to assess healing and measure pocket depths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have a regular cleaning?
Most patients benefit from cleanings every six months. After a deep cleaning, more frequent maintenance visits typically every 3 to 4 months are often recommended to monitor gum health.
What is the difference between a regular and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning treats the area above the gumline. A deep cleaning treats below it, targeting the bacterial deposits that accumulate in periodontal pockets around the roots of teeth. Dr. Almaawi determines which is appropriate based on your gum measurements and clinical findings.
Is a deep cleaning painful?
The procedure is performed with local anesthesia, so discomfort during treatment is minimal. Some soreness and gum sensitivity in the following days is normal and typically resolves within a week.
Call 508-881-7700 to schedule your cleaning or to ask whether a regular or deep cleaning is appropriate for your current gum health.