Dental debridement is a type of preliminary dental cleaning done before a professional dental cleaning can be administered. Therefore, a dental debridement is often recommended for patients who have not received dental services for several years.
The Definition of a Dental Debridement
When plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth to the point that we cannot perform a complete dental exam, we need to remove the buildup. Therefore, a total removal or dental debridement is undertaken to remove the buildup on tooth surfaces, between the teeth, and around the gums. In this case, the buildup has become embedded. This causes the gums to become inflamed and swollen. Before a regular prophylaxis or regular dental cleaning can be performed then, a dental debridement must happen first. The debridement will also help us complete an exam that is comprehensive and diagnostically accurate.
When a Debridement Is Recommended
If the buildup of plaque and calculus surpasses the normal buildup, we regularly clean off the teeth, we will likely recommend a debridement. This is done, so we properly assess the health of your teeth and gums. Otherwise, we cannot determine a course of treatment or what needs to be done to improve a patient's oral health. During the procedure, we will use a piezoelectric scaler to get rid of the tartar on and between the gums. The machine vibrates and uses water to break down the tartar and get rid of it. Besides removing and pulverizing the calculus, the piezo scaler also removes surface stains leaving the teeth cleaner and smoother and allowing for gum healing. We often use an anesthetic during the procedure to reduce any discomfort caused by the buildup.
Do you believe you need a debridement? If so, this procedure is usually only done once, so you might say it is a “once-in-a-lifetime” event. After a dental debridement is performed, we can regularly schedule dental cleanings and/or periodontal maintenance if gum disease happens to be a problem. Give us a call today if it has been a while since your teeth have been cleaned. You may need to schedule a dental debridement so we can help support you in your goal of better overall dental care.