Dental Hygiene

Regular dental hygiene appointments are critical to prevent periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis. These are serious infections that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.

Our doctors and staff provide different levels of dental hygiene treatment for our Black Hills patients. After a full periodontal assessment, the dental team will determine what type of cleaning is right for you.

Prophylaxis

Child and adult prophys or prophylaxis appointments is another way of saying a regular cleaning. Prophylaxis appointments are the most common type of cleaning performed and are usually completed on a regular 6 month recall basis. To qualify for a regular cleaning, periodontal probing depths (a measurement taken at the pocket between your gum and your tooth) will usually be under 3 mm with minimal amounts of bleeding.

Full Gingival Scale

The gingival scale procedure typically happens when people have poor hygiene or have been away from the dentist for too long. Clinical findings include inflamed, red gingival tissue, light to moderate calculus (tartar), and no bone loss (the height of bone supporting the tooth). Generally we will see you back 1-3 months later for a regular cleaning before moving you to a regular 6 month cleaning interval.

Full-Mouth Debridement

Debridements are performed when we are unable to assess the extent of your periodontal disease. When a patient has heavy calculus or tartar build-up, sometimes proper probing measurements cannot be taken until the majority of build-up from calculus has been removed. One month after a full mouth debridement, probing will be completed and we will assess whether you need scaling and root planing or a regular hygiene recall. The biggest indications of a need for scaling and root planing instead of a regular cleaning is the detection of bone loss and bleeding.

Scaling Root Planing

Root planing is performed when the area below the gums needs to be cleaned. Root planing will be performed if the patient has bone loss with active gingival inflammation indicated with bleeding. Scaling and root planing is usually performed on patients with probing depths that exceed 4-5mm. Commonly, people are anesthetized for this type of deep cleaning.

Periodontal Maintenance

Maintenance is essential for stopping the progression of periodontal (gum) disease following scaling and root planing. There are many studies out there that suggest the bacteria that causes periodontal disease takes about 3 months to accumulate below the gumline - where tooth brushes are not as effective. This is why it is so important after receiving scaling and root planing to follow through with periodontal maintenance. Failure to do this will cause progression periodontal disease.

Regular dental hygiene cleanings generally take an hour to complete; time may be extended if a more extensive cleaning is required. All of our cleanings are completely by board certified dental hygienists.

Are you ready for a dramatically improved experience with your next crown, bridge, or veneer?

Call (605) 721-1219

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