Preventive Dental Health:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
 

• Routine Cleanings (Prophylaxis) are performed every six months with some cases requiring visits every three or four months. This preventative procedure involves polishing and light scaling of the teeth to remove light plaque and tartar.
   
• Therapeutic Scaling is a procedure that is performed as initial treatment for gingivitis or periodontal disease. If a patient has gingivitis, 2 appointments are required to relieve symptoms. The first appointment
  (therapeutic scaling) removes most of the debris and bacteria that cause inflammation. The second appointment is the same procedure as a routine cleaning.
   
• Periodontal Scaling is required treatment for patients with gum disease. We carefully examine all our patients for signs of gum disease, which include puffy gums that bleed when brushing and / or flossing, pockets around the teeth, and persistent mouth odor. As the disease advances, the teeth may become mobile (loose). For this procedure, patients are usually anesthetized (numbed) and the roots and teeth are scaled (root planed) to removed calcified debris and diseased tissue. Periodontal scaling is completed in a series of 3-4 appointments.