Gum disease often responds best to a thorough cleaning below the gumline, and that is exactly what a deep cleaning provides. Also known as scaling and root planing, this minimally invasive treatment can help treat and reverse gum disease in its earlier stages. Because untreated gum disease can affect your teeth, gums, and overall health, getting ahead of it with prompt treatment matters. A question we hear often is how much time a deep cleaning actually takes, and we cover that along with several other common questions below.
What Does Deep Cleaning Involve?
A routine dental cleaning addresses the tooth surfaces above the gumline, while deep cleaning goes further, clearing away plaque and tartar that has built up below the gumline and within the periodontal pockets that form when gum tissue becomes inflamed. To clean these pockets fully, the gum tissue is gently pulled back, giving the dentist or hygienist access to the area. The exposed root surfaces are then smoothed so the gum tissue can reattach and the pockets can close over time. Research has repeatedly identified scaling and root planing as one of the most effective non-surgical approaches to treating gum disease.
How Much Time Does Deep Teeth Cleaning Take?
The length of a deep cleaning appointment typically comes down to how advanced your gum disease is. Some patients need only one visit of about an hour, while others require two, and in many cases we find it works best to treat one quadrant of the mouth per appointment rather than the whole mouth at once. Once your dentist has evaluated your gums during a consultation, you will have a clearer sense of what your treatment timeline looks like.
What Happens During A Deep Cleaning Appointment?
Feeling a bit nervous before any dental treatment is completely normal, and knowing what the appointment involves can help ease that anxiety.
Before treatment begins, we apply a local anesthetic to numb the areas being cleaned. You will stay awake throughout the appointment, and while you may notice some pressure or movement in your mouth as we work, the procedure typically does not cause discomfort.
Deep cleaning is completed in two stages. Your dentist first uses a manual instrument called a periodontal scaler, or an ultrasonic device, to scale the teeth, clearing plaque and tartar from both above and below the gumline. From there, the root surfaces are planed, or smoothed, to make it easier for the gum tissue to reattach.
What Should I Expect After Treatment?
Some tooth sensitivity and soreness in the days following treatment is common, and your gums may feel sore as well since they did most of the work. A small amount of gum bleeding can also be normal, but if it does not stop, please call our office and let us know.
Depending on your specific case, we may recommend a saltwater rinse to help with discomfort and reduce the risk of infection, or we may suggest an antibacterial rinse instead. In some instances, antibiotics can also be placed directly into the gum pockets during scaling and root planing to help fight infection.
Have More Questions About Deep Cleaning?
If you would like to learn more about deep cleaning, get in touch with our office today at 704-875-1621 to schedule a consultation.