Dental Hygiene
Deep Cleaning (Root Planning and Scaling)
The goal of scaling and root planning is to eliminate the source of periodontal infection by removing the plaque, tartar and bacterial toxins from the root surfaces of the teeth below the gumline. When you have active periodontal disease, routine cleanings are not enough because they generally remove plaque and tartar above the gumline only. To keep you comfortable, we usually numb the area before the procedure begins. Using special instruments, we carefully and meticulously remove the plaque and tartar around and beneath the gumline, then smooth the root surfaces. This removes the source of infection and helps your gums heal. As they heal, your gums will tighten around your teeth.
Dental X-Rays
Our office uses digital radiography for x-ray imaging as of January 1st, 2010. X-Ray radiation does not stay in the body. Though machines vary, bitewing x-rays only add as much radiation as you would get from natural sources such as sunlight, minerals in the soil, home appliances, and through the atmosphere from space.
Bite-wing x-rays are the most common x-rays taken in dentistry. We use them to find a variety of conditions including: cavities between the teeth, tartar on the tooth roots, worn out or broken fillings, and receding bone levels resulting from periodontal disease. Bite-wing x-rays are a necessary part of regular dental checkups. They give us vital information that we can’t get from any other source.
A panoramic x-ray gives us a comprehensive view of your mouth, including your teeth, jawbone, jaw joint, and sinuses. It gives us valuable information about a variety of conditions such as: position of wisdom teeth, jaw joint problems, sinus problems, receding bone levels resulting from periodontal disease, abscesses and cancerous lesions. As with bitewing x-rays, panoramic x-rays provide us with vital information that we can’t get from any other source.
Diagnodent
The Diagnodent is another useful technology that our hygienists use when performing an exam. The Diagnodent is a tool that emits lasers from its tip in order to find smaller cavities and tooth decay that are not easily diagnosed on an x-ray. It is better at finding pit and valley cavities, which helps prevent small problems from turning into bigger problems. It is completely pain-free and only last a few minutes.
