Hours
Mon: 9:30AM-7:00PM
Tue: 7:30AM-4:00PM
Wed: Closed
Thu: 7:30AM-4:00PM
Fri: 7:30AM-4:00PM
A deep cleaning takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
Dr. Aurora will perform an oral exam, assess your symptoms, and take x-rays to rule out other potential oral health problems.
To confirm that you have gum disease, we will measure your gum pockets. If pockets are deeper than 3 mm, this suggests gum disease. Depths greater than 4 mm indicate periodontitis.
A scaler is used to scrape plaque and tartar from below the gum line.
The tooth’s roots are smoothed out to prevent bacteria from sticking to the tooth roots and to promote gum reattachment.
Ongoing periodontal cleanings are recommended for patients who have a history of gum disease, especially if they had periodontitis. We will routinely check that the infection is completely gone and perform regular deep cleanings every 3 to 4 months for those who have had periodontitis before.
A deep cleaning is a more intense version of a dental cleaning. It involves two main practices – scaling and root planing. While scaling is performed in regular cleanings, they are only done above the gumline to scrape away plaque buildup.
However, in advanced gum disease, gum pockets cause plaque and tartar to accumulate deep beneath the gums so we must scale below the gum line and around the tooth’s roots. Once all of the bacteria has been thoroughly removed, we will smooth out your tooth’s roots. This is so we can reattach the receded gums.
A deep cleaning can be performed in a single long appointment or split in half between two appointments.
Gum disease is a serious infection of the gums that is caused by plaque and tartar buildup that causes gum pockets to form and trap bacteria. As inflammation increases, the gum pockets deepen and the cycle continues.
The body produces an inflammatory response in an attempt to rid of the infection. However, this only makes symptoms worse and leads to bone loss and severe gum recession that ultimately causes loose teeth that can fall out.
Yes, gum disease can be reversed, but only in the early stages, when gum pocket depths are between 3 and 4 mm. This indicates gingivitis and during this stage, the gums are inflamed but no irreversible destruction of bone and soft tissues has occurred yet.
At this stage, symptoms will be mild and they will be easiest to treat. It can be reversed with regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings. However, once you develop periodontitis, the infection will begin to destroy bone and damage soft tissues.
You will require a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar that have accumulated below the gum line. In severe cases, you may need oral surgery such as gum flap surgery, gum and bone grafts, or guided tissue regeneration.
We will numb your mouth before beginning a deep cleaning so you don’t feel any pain or discomfort.