A deep teeth cleaning is the first step in treating most cases of periodontal (gum) disease. It may be the only treatment needed for mild cases -but it will not stay that way if you do not get the deep teeth cleaning promptly! Dentist of Bixby Knolls provides effective and gentle deep teeth cleanings to patients in the North Long Beach and Bixby Knolls area.
A deep teeth cleaning is more involved than a routine teeth cleaning. It is designed to get at the plaque and tartar beneath your gumline and around the roots of your teeth. It also removes any “pockets” of bacteria that have formed around your teeth.
This procedure is formally called periodontal scaling and root planing. The tartar is scraped off manually or with an ultrasonic removal tool and then the roots of the teeth are smoothed to make it harder for bacteria to attach to the teeth in the future and cause a recurrence of gum disease.
If you have periodontal disease, a deep teeth cleaning is necessary to help treat the condition. It can reverse gum disease entirely if you have a mild case, but it will help stop the progression of the disease no matter what stage it is in.
If you have been told you need a deep teeth cleaning, you have probably noticed inflamed or irritated gums, bleeding gums, puffy gums, bad breath, painful chewing, or other symptoms of gum disease. A deep teeth cleaning will treat or even correct these issues.
Your provider at the Bixby Knolls office will first perform an examination and review your x-rays to be certain of what is going on inside your mouth. A special device might be used to measure the depth of the “pockets” around your teeth to determine how bad your periodontal disease is.
Before the procedure begins, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area and prevent discomfort during the cleaning. Depending on the extent of your needs, the entire deep teeth cleaning might be performed in one visit, or you may need to come back for several visits to have different quadrants of your mouth cleaned one at a time. Your provider will tell you what to expect before your treatment.
Deep teeth cleanings cost more than routine teeth cleanings, but most dental insurance plans will cover part of the cost. If not, you will pay around $200 per quadrant of your mouth. Our staff will put together a treatment plan and contact your insurance company before your procedure so you know exactly what your portion will be.
In addition, we offer several financing options that will help you get the care you need now instead of putting it off until later. Please do not hesitate to speak with our staff if these options might be helpful for you.
Routine teeth cleanings only clean the plaque and tartar from the visible areas of the teeth. It stops at the gum line. A deep teeth cleaning goes beneath the gums to remove deep-seated plaque and tartar.
Local anesthetics are used during the deep teeth cleaning procedure to prevent pain during the cleaning process. Your teeth and gums may be a bit sore for a few days following your deep teeth cleaning, but you should not experience pain. If you do, please call the office and speak with our staff.
Call (562) 287-5175 and make your deep cleaning appointment with Dentist of Bixby Knolls today!
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