Root scraping and smoothing, also known as deep cleaning, is a procedure that is usually only given to patients who are at high risk of developing gum disease or who have already developed it. This type of cleaning is used on both teeth and gum pockets to treat gingivitis and periodontitis. For gingivitis, deep cleanings are usually done in one appointment with the dentist. For periodontitis, however, multiple appointments and local anesthesia may be necessary depending on the severity.
Scraping is the process of removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the tooth and from the gum pockets below the gum line that form due to gum disease. This not only kills bacteria but also helps reduce gum inflammation. Root smoothing is the process of smoothing out the roots of the teeth, which helps the gums reattach to the teeth and eliminates gum pockets. Deep cleaning, or root scraping and smoothing (SRP), are one and the same.
Although SRP is the technical term, many dentists have started referring to it as gum therapy, gingival bacterial control, or subgingival therapy due to public resistance to deep cleaning. Dental exams allow your general dentist to assess your teeth and gums' health, while professional dental cleanings remove excess plaque and tartar. This post will discuss what to expect with some of the most common types of dental cleanings, how long you can expect your visit to the dentist to last, and get information about the expected cost. He received his DDS degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and regularly attends conventions on oral health care to continue his dental education.Surprisingly, some patients prefer to have a full dental cleaning every 3 months, especially if they have more tartar than usual or are going through Invisalign.
Additionally, sometimes the dentist may recommend deep cleaning before another mandatory dental procedure. It's a more thorough cleaning compared to a prophylactic cleaning and is a non-surgical option if there are signs of periodontal disease. Routine dental cleanings twice a year are recommended to keep your gums and teeth in good condition.While it's possible for an entire mouth to be done in one visit, a deep dental cleaning can also be done in just a few visits. Again, it's important to see your trusted dentist if serious debridement cleaning is the best option based on your dental health history.
Root scraping and smoothing is a slightly more invasive (although not surgical) dental cleaning procedure that involves deep cleaning of the gums, gumline, and other structures that support the teeth. However, SRP alone is not a miracle cure (Source) and its need indicates that there is active periodontal disease which requires regular periodontal maintenance (usually every three months) for its control; (Source) think of something between deep cleaning and regular cleaning.If you've been avoiding dental care out of fear or embarrassment, Dental TLC has a solution for you. There are options here so be sure to discuss them in detail with your dentist to answer all your questions and alleviate any possible concerns and find out if a dental cleaning with scraping and root smoothing is right for you. Prophylactic cleanings remove plaque and tartar from the front, back and side of the teeth with a dental scraper or a stream of water.