Dental Cleanings & Exams in Laveen, AZ

Oral cleaning is a necessary dental measure used to eliminate the plaque and tartar deposits from the teeth surfaces. It is essential in reducing the chances of developing cavities and gum disease. Oral cleaning comprises two distinct procedures, namely scaling and root planing, which is used to clean the surfaces of the teeth and tooth roots.

How are Scaling and Root Planing Performed?

In the past, scaling was carried out using a hand-held appliance with a hook-like scaling tip. The tartar deposits were scraped off manually by the dentist. However, this process has been replaced by ultrasonic scaling in recent times. It includes an ultrasonic scaling device with a stainless steel metal tip that vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies. When the tip of the device is brought close to the tartar deposits, they will be dislodged and washed away using a jet of water.

Root planing is similar to scaling. The scaling tip will be inserted between the gums and tooth roots to eliminate the microbial deposits. Since the process can be painful, we will administer local anesthesia to numb the gums and teeth. While removing the tartar deposits, we will also smoothen the surface of the tooth roots. This process ensures the microbes and food residues do not get deposited in them.

Both these procedures are minimally invasive and do not cause any significant discomfort. Getting oral cleaning done at least once every six months is recommended to ensure optimum oral health and prevent the onset of cavities or other oral infections.

Dental Exams

Dental exams involve the comprehensive diagnosis and examination of the oral tissues and suggesting suitable treatment if required. Some of the procedures conducted during dental exams are:

• Oral Cancer Screening

The chances of successfully treating oral cancer are significantly higher when it is detected during the early stages. We use devices such as an intraoral camera, VELscope, CDx, etc., to spot the onset of cancer in the oral tissues.

• Periodontal Screening

We screen for gum disease by checking for symptoms such as redness, bleeding, receding gum line, discharge of pus, root canal disease, etc. If confirmed, we will treat it by eliminating the tartar deposits and decayed gum tissues and treating the infection using antibiotic medication.

• Cavity Prevention

Cavities will be detected visually or using X-rays and treated suitably. We use tooth-colored fillings for the purpose, as they offer excellent properties such as durability, sealing properties, longevity, etc.

We invite you to schedule a consultation with our team of dental experts to get all your oral concerns addressed at the earliest. Please call us at (602) 237-7878 or reach out through online consultation, and we’ll be happy to help.