In most cases, a deep clean of two teeth will require two visits to the dentist. This is because it depends on the severity of the gum disease. A patient may need one one-hour office visit or a two-hour appointment; some patients may even need multiple appointments if it's best to examine one quadrant of the mouth at a time. During a consultation, the dentist can provide an estimate of how long the procedure will take.
Each appointment will last at least one hour and could last up to four hours. If there is an infection, an antibiotic gel may be placed in the pouch between the teeth and gums. To help patients feel comfortable during their dental cleaning, relaxation and sedation options are available. Regular cleaning won't be enough if deep cleaning is necessary.
The dental hygienist begins by removing plaque and tartar from the teeth. Deep dental cleaning (also known as tooth scraping and root smoothing) is recommended for patients with gum disease when tartar builds up in the pockets between the teeth and gums and, in some cases, up to the roots of the teeth. A dental professional must remove tartar during a dental cleaning procedure performed by a hygienist or dentist. Gingivitis can usually be treated without deep cleaning, but periodontitis and advanced periodontitis will require deep dental cleaning.