One of the most common reasons that patients visit our office is to get their teeth “cleaned.” However, there are many different types of services that include cleaning the teeth. For those without any bone loss or inflammation of the gum tissue, this is usually accomplished with what is called a “prophy.” This appointment typically lasts one hour and doesn’t require getting numb or using a laser. When a patient has lost bone and has periodontal disease (a more advanced form of gingivitis) it becomes more difficult to clean the teeth. The gum tissue around the teeth gets pocketing on the roots and allows the bacteria a perfect place to live and produce tartar. Thus, periodontal treatment or a “deep cleaning” may take more time, may require numbing for patient comfort, and sometimes we will utilize a laser to accomplish adequate cleaning of the root surfaces. In our practice, we routinely check the pockets on a yearly basis. Depending upon the results, we provide options of treatment that range from the most basic to the most thorough in order to accomplish the patient’s goals. Carson Kutsch www.drkutsch.com
Tags: Albany Oregon, Deep Cleaning, Dentist, Prophy, root planing, scaling