Prophylaxis Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning: $30.00
(A dental exam is required prior to the cleaning)
Deep Cleaning Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing: $165.00
(per quadrant)
Surgical Periodontal: $250.00
(per quadrant)
(A dental exam is required prior to the cleaning)
Deep Cleaning Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing: $165.00
(per quadrant)
Surgical Periodontal: $250.00
(per quadrant)
PROPHYLAXIS ULTRASONIC DENTAL CLEANING
SAME DAY SERVICE
Dental cleaning exams may or may not include x-rays. If needed, we do not charge for x-rays. We x-ray only when necessary.
Dental plaque (a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth) is known to be the main cause of periodontal (gum) disease. When the bacteria settle on your teeth, they form a whitish film called biofilm. Established biofilm causes “pockets,” areas of separation between the teeth and their surrounding gums, in which plaque hardens into deposits known as calculus or tartar.
Have your teeth cleaned regularly to remove deposits of plaque and calculus. Removal of hard deposits on your teeth is called “scaling.” This can be done by using ultrasonic power scalers.
Dental plaque (a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth) is known to be the main cause of periodontal (gum) disease. When the bacteria settle on your teeth, they form a whitish film called biofilm. Established biofilm causes “pockets,” areas of separation between the teeth and their surrounding gums, in which plaque hardens into deposits known as calculus or tartar.
Have your teeth cleaned regularly to remove deposits of plaque and calculus. Removal of hard deposits on your teeth is called “scaling.” This can be done by using ultrasonic power scalers.
POWER SCALERS
Power scalers use ultrasonic vibration to crush and remove hard, calcified deposits of calculus. Also, they create vibrations that disrupt bacterial cells. Use of these tools includes washing and flushing the pockets and any exposed root surfaces with water.
Pros: Power scalers are as effective as manual instruments for calculus removal in shallow gum pockets and significantly more effective in pockets greater than 4mm.
They are very effective in removing calculus from root surfaces and from within periodontal pockets. Their small tips can penetrate deeper into periodontal pockets than manual instruments, are more comfortable to experience and are more effective for cleaning difficult nooks and crannies. Coolant sprays flush the area and remove bacteria and their by-products. They require less time than manual cleaning instruments.
Cons: A contaminated mist may form so that the hygienist needs to wear protective equipment. The vibration of the ultrasonic instruments may make it difficult to feel if the root surface is completely smooth and free of calculus. Power scalers affect some heart pacemakers.
Pros: Power scalers are as effective as manual instruments for calculus removal in shallow gum pockets and significantly more effective in pockets greater than 4mm.
They are very effective in removing calculus from root surfaces and from within periodontal pockets. Their small tips can penetrate deeper into periodontal pockets than manual instruments, are more comfortable to experience and are more effective for cleaning difficult nooks and crannies. Coolant sprays flush the area and remove bacteria and their by-products. They require less time than manual cleaning instruments.
Cons: A contaminated mist may form so that the hygienist needs to wear protective equipment. The vibration of the ultrasonic instruments may make it difficult to feel if the root surface is completely smooth and free of calculus. Power scalers affect some heart pacemakers.
DEEP CLEANING PERIODONTAL SCALING AND ROOT PLANING
MAY REQUIRE MULTIPLE APPOINTMENTS
Periodontal scaling and root planing are referred to as a “deep cleaning”. The price of these procedures is based on the dental quadrant that is deep cleaned.
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum tissue that could affect the teeth and supporting bone in your mouth. Plaque bacteria, acids and certain foods all contribute to the development of gum disease. Fortunately, two common methods exist to reverse the disease — dental scaling and root planing.
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum tissue that could affect the teeth and supporting bone in your mouth. Plaque bacteria, acids and certain foods all contribute to the development of gum disease. Fortunately, two common methods exist to reverse the disease — dental scaling and root planing.
DENTAL SCALING
Dental scaling involves manual hand instruments, ultrasonic instruments or both. The dentist will start the procedure with a thorough examination of your mouth. Next, an ultrasonic scaling device will be used to eliminate the plaque bacteria with sonic vibrations. The ultrasonic scaling device removes tartar (calculus), plaque and biofilm from the tooth surface and underneath the gum line. Next, a manual instrument may be used to remove additional disease.
ROOT PLANING
Root planing involves detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of the gum tissue. The dentist scales the root surface to smooth rough target areas, eliminating plaque and biofilm development.
SURGICAL PERIODONTAL
Sometimes, periodontal surgery may be needed to treat certain gum diseases and conditions, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. This type of surgery is commonly known as gum surgery.
Periodontal surgery treats gum disease and any damage it may have caused by:
• Regrowing damaged bones and tissues.
• Preventing tooth loss.
• Reducing gum gaps between teeth, known as black triangles.
• Reshaping the jaw hone to lower the risk for bacterial growth in bone crevices.
• Eliminating bacteria and infection.
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can cause gum redness, swelling, and bleeding. Most often, gingivitis occurs due to poor oral hygiene, plaque, and tartar buildup. Professional treatment can reverse the condition.
Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease in which gingivitis has advanced, leading to an inflammation that destroys bone and tissues. During this gum inflammation, the gums begin to separate from the teeth. This causes pockets to develop, which trap bacteria and lead to infection. As a result, tooth loss and bone damage can occur.
Before surgery, a dental surgeon might deep clean the gums. Deep scaling removes tartar and bacteria from the teeth and gums.
Another procedure known as root planing can smooth the surfaces of the roots of the teeth, meaning that there are fewer places for tartar and bacteria to build up. This procedure also removes any tartar that is on the root. Deep scaling and root planing usually occur at the same time.
FLAP SURGERY
Flap surgery is especially helpful for people who have tartar deposits in deep pockets. The procedure involves lifting the gums off of the teeth to remove tartar buildup.
After the surgeon has cleaned the area and removed the tartar, they stitch the gums into place to fit snugly around the teeth. Sometimes, the bone may require reshaping during this procedure.
After the surgeon has cleaned the area and removed the tartar, they stitch the gums into place to fit snugly around the teeth. Sometimes, the bone may require reshaping during this procedure.
BONE GRAFTING
A person may need a bone graft when the bone that surrounds the root of the tooth is damaged or destroyed. Bone grafting involves replacing the damaged bone with new bone. This bone may be the person’s bone, a manufactured bone, or donated bone. The goal of bone grafting is to hold the tooth in place and help it to regrow.
GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION
During guided tissue regeneration a dental surgeon places a small piece of mesh-like material between a person’s bone and gum tissue. The material prevents the gum from growing into space where bone should be, allowing the bone and connective tissue to regrow.
TISSUE GRAFTING
The type of surgical tissue grafting performed is based on several factors, including the condition of the gums. A lowered gum line, known as gum line recession, is caused by the loss of gum tissue and may require soft tissue grafting to reduce the risk of further damage. During this tissue grafting, a dental surgeon removes tissue from one part of the body, typically the roof of the mouth, and re-attaches it to the area where the gum has receded. Tissue grafting not only reduces the risk for further damage but also covers any exposed roots.
PREPARING FOR GUM SURGERY
Before you have a gum surgery, a dentist performs a pre-operative exam to make sure it is safe for you to have surgery. During this exam, the dentist will likely:
• Review your medical history and assess the risk and benefit of the procedure.
• Examine your teeth, mouth, and jaw to check for stability and health.
• Check for any infections, abscesses, or other lesions that could make healing from surgery more complicated.
• Discuss the risks and benefits of the operation, and receive permission or consent to conduct gum surgery.
• Review your medical history and assess the risk and benefit of the procedure.
• Examine your teeth, mouth, and jaw to check for stability and health.
• Check for any infections, abscesses, or other lesions that could make healing from surgery more complicated.
• Discuss the risks and benefits of the operation, and receive permission or consent to conduct gum surgery.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING SURGERY?
Depending on the type of procedure, a range of things may take place.
Most gum surgery procedures take around 2 hours to complete.
In some cases, the surgery will require a person to be asleep or partially asleep during the procedure. Other times, the surgery only involves the use of a local anesthetic to numb the gums. The injection of the numbing medication can be mildly uncomfortable. During the procedure, the dental surgeon uses sterile equipment, including instruments and drapes, to lower the risk of infection. After making small incisions along the gum line, the dentist lifts the gums away from the teeth. This allows the dentist assess the roots and to remove any tartar, plaque, or infection. Following this deep cleaning, the dental surgeon may perform other procedures, such as gum reshaping, bone regeneration procedures, or other planned procedures. Once the planned dental surgery is complete, the surgeon will stitch the gums back into place, using fine thread stitches. The dentist removed the stitches 7 to 10 days later.
Most gum surgery procedures take around 2 hours to complete.
In some cases, the surgery will require a person to be asleep or partially asleep during the procedure. Other times, the surgery only involves the use of a local anesthetic to numb the gums. The injection of the numbing medication can be mildly uncomfortable. During the procedure, the dental surgeon uses sterile equipment, including instruments and drapes, to lower the risk of infection. After making small incisions along the gum line, the dentist lifts the gums away from the teeth. This allows the dentist assess the roots and to remove any tartar, plaque, or infection. Following this deep cleaning, the dental surgeon may perform other procedures, such as gum reshaping, bone regeneration procedures, or other planned procedures. Once the planned dental surgery is complete, the surgeon will stitch the gums back into place, using fine thread stitches. The dentist removed the stitches 7 to 10 days later.
RECOVERY
Following any dental procedure, our dentist provides detailed instructions on how best to recover. Recovery times depend on the extent of the procedure completed and unique patient characteristics. Typically, people require pain relief medications in the days after gum surgery. Again, the dentist will talk to the person about any recommended medications before they leave the office or surgical center.
Dentists may also recommend:
• Using an antiseptic mouthwash to keep the area clean and to avoid infection.
• Avoiding strenuous exercise.
• Eating soft foods in the days following surgery.
• Not smoking.
The dentist will schedule an appointment to return to the office for 1–2 weeks time. During this appointment, the dental surgeon will evaluate how well the gums are healing and, if necessary, remove any stitches.
A person’s gums will look and feel different after surgery. The gums and teeth will heal, tighten, and become firmer and stronger. Some people may have tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures and may find relief by using desensitizing toothpaste.
The dentist will discuss a follow-up schedule to maintain good oral health in the future.
Dentists may also recommend:
• Using an antiseptic mouthwash to keep the area clean and to avoid infection.
• Avoiding strenuous exercise.
• Eating soft foods in the days following surgery.
• Not smoking.
The dentist will schedule an appointment to return to the office for 1–2 weeks time. During this appointment, the dental surgeon will evaluate how well the gums are healing and, if necessary, remove any stitches.
A person’s gums will look and feel different after surgery. The gums and teeth will heal, tighten, and become firmer and stronger. Some people may have tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures and may find relief by using desensitizing toothpaste.
The dentist will discuss a follow-up schedule to maintain good oral health in the future.
