Routine dental cleanings and exams are the foundation of oral health. But when plaque and tartar build up below the gumline, a standard cleaning is no longer enough. At Spicewood Dental in Austin, TX, Dr. Jackson Owen and our skilled team of hygienists provide comprehensive preventative care and deep dental cleaning to treat gum disease, stop gum recession, and keep your smile healthy.
What is a Deep Dental Cleaning?
A gum deep cleaning, clinically known as scaling and root planing, is a specialized periodontal treatment designed to clean beneath the gumline. While a routine cleaning focuses on the visible surfaces of the teeth, a deep cleaning removes hardened tartar and bacteria from the periodontal pockets that form when gum disease is present.
Routine Cleaning vs. Deep Dental Cleaning
Patients often ask how a routine cleaning differs from a deep cleaning. The right treatment depends on the health of your gums and the depth of your periodontal pockets.
| Routine Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis) | Deep Dental Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Preventative: keeps healthy gums healthy. | Therapeutic: treats active gum disease (periodontitis). |
| Focus Area | Above and slightly below the gumline. | Deep beneath the gumline, down to the tooth roots. |
| Frequency | Every 6 months. | Deep beneath the gumline, down to the tooth roots. |
| Anesthesia | Not required. | Local anesthesia is usually applied for comfort. |
The Deep Cleaning Procedure: Step by Step
If you’re diagnosed with periodontal disease, our team will guide you through a comfortable, step-by-step deep cleaning process:
- Comfort and Numbing: We apply a local anesthetic to numb your gums, ensuring you feel no pain during the procedure. If you have dental anxiety, we also offer a calming environment and nitrous oxide.
- Scaling (Plaque Removal): Using specialized ultrasonic and hand instruments, your hygienist meticulously removes plaque and tartar from the crown of the tooth and deep within the gum pockets.
- Root Planing (Smoothing): The rough surfaces of your tooth roots are smoothed out. This makes it harder for bacteria to reattach and allows your gums to heal and reattach firmly to the teeth.
- Periodontal Maintenance: After your initial deep cleaning, we will schedule you for periodontal maintenance visits every 3 to 4 months to monitor your healing and prevent the bacteria from returning.
Can a Deep Cleaning Fix Gum Recession?
Yes, a deep cleaning for gum recession is often the most effective first step in treatment. Gum recession is frequently caused by periodontal disease destroying the tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place. By removing the bacteria and tartar causing the infection, a deep cleaning halts the progression of the disease. While it cannot magically grow back lost gum tissue, it allows the remaining gums to heal, tighten, and reattach to the tooth, preventing further recession and tooth loss.
What to Expect During a Routine Dental Cleaning
If your gums are healthy, you will receive a standard prophylaxis cleaning. Our team understands that even routine dental care can cause anxiety, and we provide a calming, comfortable environment for each patient. During your dental cleaning, we offer both traditional paste polish and a saltwater Prophy-Jet. The Prophy-Jet polishes using saltwater and baking soda in a high-pressure spray to remove plaque, stains, and debris from teeth. If you would prefer to use the Prophy-Jet cleaning system, just ask at your next appointment. We also offer dental sealants to protect molars from cavities and decay. Ask us about adding this treatment to your cleaning!
Deep Cleaning Dental Insurance and Costs
Patients frequently ask about deep cleaning dental insurance coverage. Because a deep cleaning is a medically necessary treatment for periodontal disease, the majority of dental insurance plans cover it, often at 50% to 80% after your deductible is met. Routine preventative cleanings are typically covered at 100%.
Our front office team at Spicewood Dental will gladly verify your specific insurance benefits and provide a clear, transparent cost estimate before any treatment begins.