Professional teeth cleaning is an excellent dental hygiene practice and the primary measure for treating periodontal disease. Regular cleanings not only thoroughly remove plaque and tartar from teeth, maintaining healthy periodontal tissues and preventing periodontal disease, but also facilitate the early detection of minor, easily overlooked dental issues—such as hidden cavities—enabling timely intervention.
Can scaling remove tartar?
Once tartar forms, it cannot be removed by brushing alone.Depending on their location relative to the gum line, tartar is classified as supragingival (above the gum) or subgingival (below the gum). Scaling primarily targets supragingival tartar, though in practice, shallow subgingival tartar connected to supragingival deposits within the gingival crevice is also removed.While ultrasonic scaling is the most common technique, different brands of ultrasonic equipment vary, leading to price differences. Additionally, multiple scaling methods exist, each with distinct pricing standards.
What is Sandblasting?
Sandblasting uses pearl salt combined with high-pressure water for deeper dental cleaning. While ultrasonic scaling dislodges large tartar deposits, sandblasting removes stubborn stains like tea, tobacco, and soft food debris from tooth surfaces. Teeth treated with sandblasting achieve a smooth finish that resists tartar buildup, making it ideal to combine with scaling.Sandblasting is typically performed after scaling because bacteria hiding in microscopic pits on tooth surfaces cannot be reached by ultrasonic waves. Sandblasting removes bacteria from these pits. However, different brands of sandblasting equipment exist, and their prices naturally vary.
What is the purpose of polishing?
Polishing is the final step in dental cleaning, aiming to fill minor pits on the tooth surface, creating a smooth finish that resists bacterial buildup. Similar to scaling, different brands offer varying price points.During polishing, attach a rubber cup to a low-speed handpiece. Apply polishing paste or toothpaste to the tooth surface, applying light pressure. Guide the thin edge of the rubber cup slightly beneath the gumline. Partially depress the foot pedal to rotate at low speed, advancing in overlapping strokes to polish the tooth surface.