There are five types of teeth cleanings ranging from preventive to therapeutic.

Preventive procedures are for patients that are already in good dental health. Whereas, therapeutic procedures are therapy or treatment for a existing dental condition (ex. gingivitis, periodontal disease, generalized inflammation). New patients can fall anywhere from a “basic” 20 minute cleaning to a 1 hour + deep cleaning.

A real life example analogous to dentistry is home cleaning services. Home cleaning services require a detailed home assessment before they can determine the type of cleaning required to do the job. Most new clients will require more time to fully clean the home to satisfaction. Regular clients are usually eligible for even the most basic of cleaning services and require less time. Services such as a “deep or detailed” cleaning are required for some homes based on length of time needed to clean and extent of the home’s condition.

Similarly, procedures (outside of exams and imaging) are 100% based on a individualized assessment of the patient’s mouth. The type of cleaning required to remove excess build-up or address certain periodontal conditions can only be determined after an examination. For additional information, the guidelines for different cleaning types are included below:

Oral Prophylaxis (Basic Cleaning)

• Preventive Procedure

• Time: about 20 minutes (time exclusive of exam, consultation, and x-rays)

• Anesthesia: None

• Eligibility: Overall healthy gums. Very minimal bone loss. No generalized inflammation (bleeding during cleaning). If any inflammation is present must be localized (minor areas only). This procedure is not for patients that either (1) have not had a cleaning in the last 6 months and (2) have not practiced good home care.

Debridement

• Therapeutic Procedure

• Time: about 30 minutes (exclusive of exam, consultation, and x-rays)

• Anesthesia: None

• Eligibility: Patients with heavy deposits on the surface of the teeth but without the bone loss associated with periodontal procedures. Procedure involves removal of plaque and calculus in order to facilitate accurate diagnosis.

Hard Prophylaxis (Advanced Cleaning)

• Therapeutic Procedure

• Time: about 30 minutes (exclusive of exam, consultation, and x-rays)

• Anesthesia: None

• Eligibility: Patients with generalized moderate to severe gingival inflammation (ex. bleeding, puffy gums etc.) with or without pocketing but no bone loss.

Perio Cleaning

• Therapeutic Procedure

• Time: 45 minutes (exclusive of exam, consultation, and x-rays)

• Anesthesia: None

• Eligibility: Patients with a history of periodontal disease. Includes the removal of bacterial plaque and calculus from above the gum line. Eligible patients will have bone loss and inflammation.

Perio Deep Cleaning/Root Planing

• Therapeutic Procedure

• Time: 60 minutes (exclusive of other procedures)

• Anesthesia: Topical and Local Anesthesia

• Eligibility: Patients with periodontal disease (inflammation and bone loss). Common signs are heavy deposits on the teeth, gum “pockets”, bone loss, inflammation, sensitivity, loose teeth, and bad breath. Root planing is the definitive procedure designed for the removal of calculus above and below the gum line. Patients that need this procedure but do not accept treatment will loose their teeth.