A regular cleaning. a root planing procedure and periodontal maintenance are not the sarne. This brochure can help explain the differences.

What is a regular or standard cleaning? What is a root planing procedure?

A regular cleaning is known as a prophylaxis in Root planing removes bacteria and their toxins, dental terms. The American Dental Associa­ tartar, and diseased deposits from the surfaces tion describes a prophyl axis as removal of of tooth roots. Scraping or scaling is required the plaque. and stains from the tooth structures. full length of the root surface, down to where the root, gum and bone meet. Root planing is Removal of plaque, calculus and stains is typically one of the first steps in treating gum accomplished by dental instruments that and bone disease (). scrape away deposits from the teeth.An electric device, called an ultra-sonic or Periodontal disease is very common, but does sonic scaler may also be used. This not always have distinct symptoms. It is an in­ depOSit removal is performed on tooth flammation and infection of the supporting structures that have not been affected structures of the teeth (, bone, ligaments, by bone loss; typically the crowns root surfaces) that eventually results in the loss of the teeth. of teeth. You may notice that your gums bleed Calculus is also known as tartar and is a easily, that you have a bad taste in your mouth, hard, mineralized deposit. somewhat like that your gums appear red or swollen, that your cement, that is formed from the plaque teeth appear longer or have shifted. Or you may in the mouth and the minerals in a per­ not notice anything at all. son's saliva. What is periodontal maintenance? Plaque is a soft, sticky substance that forms on teeth, regardless of what types If you have periodontal disease, you may require of foods are eaten. which is composed of root planing to remove diseased deposits from bacteria and bacterial by-products. the roots of your teeth. Other treatment, in­ cluding surgery, may be reqUired. After the dis­ A regular cleaning is recommended for persons ease process is under control, a regular cleaning who do not have any bone loss, periodontal is not appropriate anymore. Instead, you will re­ (hse.l~c , or infection around their teeth. There quire special on-going gum and bone care pro­ hould .11\0 be riO bleeding. mobility of teeth, cedures. also known as periodontal maintenance I cl:l~ded arO:l\ where the gums have pulled to keep your mouth healthy. W.W , . 0'" I.h(· It·l·t h , 01 9,ar~ wherl;' the 'pllcClS 1:)(PQ~od , In hC':.hhy, tr

While a twice yearly insurance payment toward the cost of teeth What is a periodontal maintenance procedure? cleaning is common, that type of payment arrangement actually The American Dental Association describes periodontal mainte­ has no relationship to what any patient might really need. Many nance as a procedure .. .instituted following periodontal therapy ... patients need cleanings more frequently. People who have heavy What is a prophylaxis? (which) continues at varying intervals, determined by the clinical evaluation plaque and tenacious calculus buildup are prime candidates. Also of the dentist, for the life of the dentitioll(for the life of the teeth) or A prophylaxis is also called a cleaning. It is the removal of people who are generally healthy but have certain types of sys­ any implant... (and) includes the removal of/)/(Jque and calculus from the plaque, calculus and stains from tooth structures not affected temic conditions, such as diabetes, or those taking specific med­ supragingival and subgingival regions, site specific . by bone loss. (Typically the crowns of the teeth). ications, may require more frequent cleanings. The good news is that with the help of dental benefits, the amount you have to pay Following periodontal therapy means that a patient has reo How often do I need to have my teeth cleaned? is reduced' ceived surgery or root planing in the past.

The old system of everyone having their teeth cleaned only Removal of calculus I have been told that I have periodontal disease and need plaque and from the supra and subgingival twice a year has fallen out of favor. In fact, many believe that to have root planing and scaling. What is periodontal dis­ regions means that any deposits and/or bacteria that are in the idea actually came from the recommendations of a 1940 ease? What is root planing? place either above or below the gum line are scaled away. toothpaste advertisement! Periodontal disease can be described as an inflammation and/or Root planing means that root surfaces, both above and While some people may be able to maintain their dental infection of the gums and bone which support the teeth. below the gum line are scaled and smoothened to remove health with semi-annual cleanings. many patients find that Bacterial plaque, and its toxic by-products, plus calculus and calculus, and diseased cementum and/or dentin. roughened root surfaces can overwhelm the mouth's defenses. their mouths and teeth stay in better shape when they have A periodontal maintenance procedure is not the same treat­ Typically, unhealthy gum tissue covers eroded bone, resulting in their teeth cleaned more frequently. Many dentists and hy­ ment as a regular cleaning even though a hygienist may perform abnorm;!1 pockets around the roots. Left untreated. periodontal gienists are now setting up a patient's cleaning schedule both services. A periodontal maintenance procedure, also disease c;!n result in loss of teeth. It is a common, and some­ based on their personal needs. This may be as often as four known as supportive periodontal treatment (SPT). includes, times silent, condition in many adults. times a year. but may not be limited to:

My insurance pays for teeth cleaning twice a year. Root planing and scaling are therapeutic (healing), meticulous, and An update of your medical and dental history; Why should I have it done more often? time consuming treatments designed to remove toxins and bac­ X-ray review; teria from the root surfaces of the teeth, thereby allowing the Dental insurance isn't really insurance (a payment to cover body's immune system to begin the healing process. Calculus (tar­ Mouth/face exam-inside and outside including cheeks, lips, the cost of a loss) at all. It is actually a money benefit, typi­ tar), diseased cementum and/or dentin are scaled away. (Cemen­ tongue, gums, throat; cally provided by an employer. to help their employees pay tum is the hard tissue that covers the tooth root. Dentin is that for routine dental treatment. The employer usually buys a Tooth examination-by the dentist: (The dentist's exam is part of the tooth that is underneath the cementum.) These pro­ plan based on the amount of the benefit and how much the usually separate from the periodontal maintenance and cedures are used as a complete treatment in some stages of pe­ premium costs per month. Most benefit plans are only de­ billed separately as well); riodontal disease, and as part of preparing the mouth for surgery signed to cover a portion of the total cost of a person's nec­ in others. Several appointments, treating sections of the mOil! h, Gum and bone examination (periodontal probing around essary dental treatment. For example, a dentist may and local anesthesia may be required. Your dent;!1 hY)',i('l1i ~ 1 0' e:tch tooth to check for bone loss); recommend a crown for a tooth that has extensive decay, demiSI Ill;)y provide the s ervice. T ht~ l\,llc,'iCln 1\( :ld l.: lI,y uf 1', ." however. the dental plan may only cover the cost of a filling. Review of hnllll.· '.11 ,.; OdOIlI L1 In);y (LlII'"dc, " <,(.Ilill); Ih,' , ~" ,I ',II' r.1\ t' t\l Ill' ., , , ",rol/ ,./,. This does not mean that the patient does not need a crown, nll'lIl "' "'.1 IIIl/I';/,1I I.I! [WIIO"""",/ /".,,/,1, III .•dcl,lll '". 11'( , ' 111 ·.11101,..·. <" •• Iill); .II,eI IlIlJI 1,I. ,lilllj' " ,,, ",f",f, only that the benefit is limited to a filling. ,1 11 ' IH'W III III I) : 'I' ·.h"w ,I '''hilit 111 \ 11 '1' 1"' lw, •. " 1!"111 .11.01 ""11" l 'nll·.IIIIIl; ,of 1,.1; 111 11\ '\' I ,iI ,I Iii" li,· .d,11 ., i" l, ",'"11 1""1 ,· ,,,,, 11"1111 " 'ld ·,ti ll' ' Y' If "", d" ,t.,"I'· '.:i 'il ' )'· 'Il rl l 'i" ; ~, , III Ii iifl• ., Wllj i 1'11"""111 ; \ 11.",11 I