Hygiene Services at Your Austin Dentist

Adult Prophylaxis-The "Routine" Cleaning

When a you present for routine care and no gum disease is present, the adult prophylaxis, or cleaning is prescribed. This hygiene service includes removal of tartar(calculus) from between the teeth above the gum line. Any tartar that is present below the gum line that might be contributing to gum disease is not removed with a routine cleaning. If this situation is present, other non-surgical periodontal services will be required to help your condition. You will be informed of this finding should it occur.

Once scaling above the gum line is completed, the teeth are polished, flossed, and you are given detailed instruction on brushing and flossing technique. You can see the home care products we recommend here.

Periodontal Maintenance-More than "Just a Cleaning"

Once a patient has been diagnosed with periodontal pocketing and therapy has been completed, a routine cleaning (adult prophylaxis) is no longer adequate routine care. If you have been treated for gum disease, have pocketing, or we are currently treating you for gum disease, your routine care will be a Periodontal Maintenance visit. This visit includes spot checking periodontal pocket depths in troubled areas, scaling of any buildup below the gum line, scaling and removal of tartar above the gum line, polishing, flossing, and review of oral hygiene technique.

What separates the two routine care services is the time and attention paid to accumulation below the gum line. Patients that do not have pocketing, do not have tartar below the gum line. An adult prophylaxis or regular cleaning is the perfect prescription. If pocketing is present, an adult prophylaxis is inadequate service to control and preserve the gums and bone around the teeth. Drs. Meek and Tasch will help you know which service will be appropriate for your situation.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Also known as scaling and root planing, non-surgical periodontal therapy is the most common and conservative treatment for gum disease and pocketing. Scaling is the removal of calculus (commonly called tartar) and plaque that attach to the tooth surfaces. This process targets the areas below the gum line. Root planing removes any remaining calculus and smoothes irregular areas of the root surface both above and below the gum line.

If you are diagnosed with pocketing or periodontal disease, your condition will be treated in two visits. In each of the two visits, one half of your dentition will be managed. Local anesthetic will be used to ensure your comfort while the work is completed, and patients rarely report more than just minor tenderness or sensitivity for a day or two following treatment. For this reason, pain medications are not prescribed and you will be advised to use Tylenol or Ibuprofen following your visit to ensure comfort.