Cleaning

The purpose of a professional dental cleaning is to remove the hard calculus (also called tartar) from above and just below the gum line. Brushing and flossing at home removes plaque. Only dental instruments can remove calculus. We may use ultrasonic instruments to blast away the larger chunks of tartar but if you are sensitive to those then we will be extra gentle and only clean with hand instruments.

Polishing

After the calculus is removed, the crowns of your teeth (the parts that show) may be polished to remove plaque and surface stains. Typically, but not always, an abrasive substance is applied to the teeth with a small rotating rubber cup or brush. This helps to scrub away stains. The polishing substance will feel gritty in your mouth. You will be given chances to rinse.

X-rays

Dr. Aulakh will determine if X-rays are needed or not depending on results of your clinical examination, your dental history and your individual risk for developing cavities. If you are seeing us for the first time, ask for a copy of your X-rays from your former dentist. This will help you to avoid repeating X-rays.

If we find any problems, we will recommend steps to fix them. These may include a referral to a specialist (such as a periodontist or orthodontist). Please check out our specialists we trust for our patients on the top of our homepage. You also may need further tests for diagnosis. You may have to return for more intensive periodontal treatment if necessary