A regular cleaning, a root planing procedure, and periodontal maintenance are not the same. This article can help explain the differences.

A regular cleaning is known as a prophylaxis in dental terms. The American Dental Association describes a prophylaxis as scaling and polishing procedures to remove coronal plaque, calculus and stains.

Scaling means using a dental instrument to scrape away deposits from the teeth. An electric device, called an ultra-sonic or sonic scaler, may also be used. This scaling is performed on the part of the tooth that is exposed above the gum line – in other words, on the coronal or crown of the tooth.

Calculus, also known as tartar, is a hard, mineralized deposit somewhat like cement that is formed from plaque in the mouth and the minerals in a person’s saliva.

Plaque is a soft, sticky substance that forms on teeth, regardless of what types of foods are eaten, which is composed of bacteria and bacterial by-products.

A regular cleaning is recommended for persons who do not have any bone loss, periodontal disease or infection around their teeth. There should also be no bleeding, mobility of teeth, receded areas where the gums have pulled away from the teeth or gaps where the spaces around the roots of the teeth are exposed. In other words, the mouth should be healthy, with no gum and bone problems.

What Is A Root Planing Procedure?

Root planing removes bacteria and their toxins, tartar and diseased deposits from the surfaces of tooth roots. Scaling is required for the full length of the root surface, down to where the root, gum and bone meet. Root planing is typically one of the first steps in treating gum and bone disease (periodontal disease).

Periodontal disease is very common, but does not always have distinct symptoms. It is an inflammation and infection of the supporting structures of the teeth (gums, bone, ligaments and root surfaces) that eventually results in the loss of teeth. You may notice that your gums bleed easily, that you have a bad taste in your mouth, that your gums appear red or swollen or that your teeth appear longer or have shifted. Or, you may not notice anything at all.

What Is Periodontal Maintenance?

If you have gum disease, you may require root planing to remove diseased deposits from the roots of your teeth. Other treatment may be required. After the disease process is under control, a regular cleaning is not appropriate anymore. Instead, you will require special on-going gum and bone care procedures, also known as periodontal maintenance to keep your mouth healthy.