Cleaning teeth from tartar and plaque: stages and new technologies. Professional teeth cleaning: indications, contraindications, techniques Is it necessary to have your teeth cleaned by a dentist?

Making a favorable impression on others and being the center of attention allows not only impeccable clothes, good hairstyle, well-groomed hands and healthy facial skin, but also a snow-white smile that demonstrates the excellent condition of the teeth. Healthy teeth combined with fresh breath help create the image of a person who is attentive to their health.

Currently, there are a huge number of products on sale for the care of teeth and gums, as well as the oral mucosa. Their use is the most important aspect of maintaining dental health. Despite this fact, doctors recommend Visit the dentist at least twice a year for diagnostics, preventive procedures and timely treatment of damaged teeth.

Even regular and correct use of preventive medications at home cannot provide a complete guarantee of maintaining dental health. Deposits on tooth enamel can be efficiently removed only during a professional cleaning procedure.

What is professional teeth cleaning?

The professional teeth cleaning procedure is a set of measures aimed at removing plaque and tartar, performed in a dental clinic by a professional doctor using special equipment.

Professional cleaning will help you painlessly get rid of plaque, remove tartar deposits, and restore healthy white teeth. In addition, during the procedure pathogenic bacteria are destroyed, which has a beneficial effect not only on dental health, but also on the immune system in general.

Due to the fact that modern technologies for professional teeth cleaning are quite gentle, dentists recommend repeating the procedure twice a year. For special indications, more frequent use of the procedure is allowed.

Indications for professional teeth cleaning

A professional hygienic cleansing procedure can solve a number of problems:

Symptoms that indicate the need for professional cleaning

If the patient does not adhere to regular visits to the dentist, the following symptoms will help determine the need for another professional cleaning procedure:

obvious presence of plaque that is difficult to remove;
obvious presence of tartar deposits;
persistent unpleasant odor from the mouth in the absence of specific diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
bleeding gums;
the appearance of discomfort, itching or burning in the area of the teeth and gums;
discoloration of periodontal tissues;
feeling of heaviness or pain in the periodontium while eating;
violation of the attachment of gum tissue to the tooth.

A review of photos taken before and after the procedures allows you to get an idea of how professional cleaning can help solve the problem.

The complex effect on teeth, carried out by modern methods in the process of professional cleaning, can be divided into two ways:

hardware;
manual.

Hardware methods for removing plaque and tartar: features and contraindications

There are three methods used in the process of hardware method of professional teeth cleaning:

so-called Air Flow (air flow);
use of ultrasound;
application of laser technologies.

Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Air Flow Method

This method involves exposing the surface of the teeth to an air stream containing a special abrasive material. Traditionally as an abrasive sodium bicarbonate is used, that is, regular baking soda. A thin stream of water allows you to remove the abrasive from the treated area along with the contaminants separated from the teeth. For a refreshing effect, menthol or other fragrances can be added to the supplied water. Water also performs a cooling function, preventing overheating of the enamel during exposure to abrasive.

This method not only performs a cleaning function, but also ensures polishing of the enamel. The enamel of the teeth becomes shiny, and its surface is partially lightened. You should not expect perfect whiteness, because this The method only allows you to clean the enamel from contaminants, which hid her natural color. It is impossible to lighten the enamel by several tones using this method.

Among the advantages of this procedure are safety and high efficiency. Doctor individually selects power abrasive flow. At the same time, he takes into account not only the volume and durability of dental plaque that needs to be removed, but also the individual sensitivity of the teeth, as well as the thickness of the enamel.

Before carrying out the procedure, it is necessary to make sure that the patient has no contraindications to it:

excessively thin layer of enamel;
extensive caries;
damage to the enamel of a non-carious nature, leading to increased sensitivity, abrasion or fragility;
acute periodontal diseases;
certain respiratory diseases (obstructive bronchitis, asthma);
allergy to the components used.

Among the features of the Air Flow method are its wide availability and relatively low cost. The duration of the procedure is from 20 to 30 minutes. The effect of it lasts quite a long time. Photos of teeth taken after the procedure clearly demonstrate its effectiveness when compared comprehensively with photos before the dental procedure.

Ultrasonic method

The use of ultrasound makes the procedure of professional teeth cleaning more effective. The duration of manipulations is reduced, which has a positive effect on the patient’s comfort. Ultrasound has remarkable antibacterial and antimicrobial effects.

It is important to note that ultrasound is completely safe for the oral cavity. The softness of the impact spares the tooth enamel. The use of special nozzles for different areas allows you to most effectively remove dirt even in difficult areas. During the exposure process, tartar is not simply mechanically removed, but its gradual destruction occurs followed by removal. This aspect is of particular importance for stone located in periodontal pockets. If instrumental intervention is used to remove it, it will be significantly traumatic.

With the ultrasonic method, a stream of water is supplied in a similar way, which removes destructible deposits and washes out their remains from hard-to-reach places. Simultaneously with the removal of deposits, partial lightening of hard tissue occurs.

There are also some contraindications to this procedure:

significant demineralization of enamel;
extensive caries, as well as its complications;
purulent diseases affecting the periodontium or oral mucosa;
severe diseases of the cardiovascular system;
patient use of pacemakers;
pulmonary, renal or liver failure.

Currently, the ultrasonic cleaning method has become widespread, due to which the cost of the service has decreased significantly. Wherein the effect of the procedure can last up to a year, subject to careful home dental care after the procedure.

Laser technologies

The use of laser has become a hallmark of the most modern methods of professional teeth cleaning. The peculiarity of the effect of this method is based on the process of liquid evaporation. The thickness of plaque and tartar contains disproportionately more liquid than the enamel of teeth. The laser allows you to evaporate the liquid contained in the deposits layer by layer, destroying them layer by layer.

There is no contact between the instrument and tissues. This is not only ensures painless procedure, but also excludes the possibility of introducing any infection. It is worth noting that the laser itself has an antiseptic effect. This prevents the development of caries and other oral diseases.

A distinctive feature of laser exposure is the ability to whiten enamel, eliminating the need for a separate special whitening procedure. This is clearly visible when studying photographs taken before the start of the procedure and after its completion.

Let us note the contraindications to this method:

the presence of implants in the body, including pacemakers;
the presence of orthopedic structures;
ARVI;
rhinitis;
severe infectious diseases (HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis);
epilepsy;
asthma.

Despite all its positive qualities, the method is characterized by a high cost of the procedure. The cost of laser cleaning can be double or more times the cost of other methods. However, due to its effectiveness, whitening effect and other advantages, this method has gained great popularity. The effect of this procedure lasts up to a year.

Manual method of removing plaque and tartar

The manual method of professional teeth cleaning is classic. With an integrated approach to professional hygienic cleaning, this method is used at the final stage.

The dentist is equipped with special strips that cover the required roughness. With their help, the doctor corrects areas not affected by hardware cleaning and treats interdental spaces. The choice of roughness allows you to both grind off plaque and polish the enamel.

For difficult deposit areas special tools are used for the cleaning. They have a sharp working surface and allow an experienced dentist to manually remove deposits that require radical measures.

Special polishing pastes are also used. Their use using special brushes allows you to effectively remove plaque, and polishing tooth enamel.

Oral care after professional cleaning

During the first days after the procedure, you should not eat foods that have a pronounced coloring effect.
During the first 24 hours, it is undesirable to drink coffee, tea, or smoke.
You should pay attention to the fact that the dentist must apply special products to the teeth after the procedure that will prevent the formation of deposits and have a strengthening effect on the enamel.
After each meal, brushing your teeth is recommended. If this is not possible, you can recommend chewing gum or rinsing your mouth with clean water.

To summarize, we can conclude that regular visits to the dentist, timely treatment of damaged teeth, as well as periodic professional cleaning, together with daily thorough oral care, will help you achieve excellent dental health and a snow-white smile that will last for many years.

Regular oral hygiene is an important condition for healthy and beautiful teeth and gums. Unfortunately, at home it is difficult to remove hard tartar or yellow plaque that has been forming for months. That is why people began to be interested in what “Ultrasonic teeth cleaning” is, its main advantages and disadvantages, contraindications and features of care after the procedure.

Chaotic eating and bad habits (drinking alcohol and coffee, smoking, etc.) often lead to the formation of plaque that is difficult to remove with a toothbrush or even high-quality expensive toothpaste. Any mechanical methods to remove stone are futile, and the use of chemical methods can seriously destroy the enamel, leading to tooth decay and increased sensitivity.

Ultrasonic cleaning

As an alternative to old methods, ultrasonic cleaning is a relatively safe, but truly effective method of cleaning teeth from any pigmentation and deposits.

So, to give teeth a snow-white and healthy appearance, a device is used - an ultrasonic scaler. It conducts special ultrasonic waves that reach the enamel surface without obstacles and remove plaque of varying degrees of density. For each patient, the dentist individually adjusts the depth, frequency and amplitude of the waves, which allows them to achieve the best effect with minimal trauma to the enamel. Tissues that are not affected by the waves remain unharmed, that is, the procedure can be considered local.

This dental service is painless. But sometimes local anesthesia is used during ultrasonic teeth cleaning, especially when it comes to deposits under the gums.

The duration of the procedure, as a rule, does not exceed 1 hour.

After the event, the patient physically feels the cleanliness and smoothness of the teeth, sees their polished and slightly bleached smooth surface. Just do not confuse this procedure with whitening, which affects the enamel and can lead to slight damage.

By the way, ultrasonic cleaning is used not only as a hygienic or preventive technique. Sometimes it is necessary to secure particularly difficult fillings or restored parts of the tooth. It also acts as an excellent prevention of caries development.

Modern ultrasonic cleaning technologies

To understand in more detail what “ultrasonic teeth cleaning” is, you should consider the complex of procedures included in it:

The dentist strengthens the enamel with professional pastes containing fluoride.
The enamel is polished and whitened. At this stage, the doctor uses an attachment with a polishing gum, as well as brushes and products. Unfortunately, after such a procedure, you should take care of the enamel for several days, as it becomes extremely sensitive to temperature changes, sour and sweet foods.

Pros and cons of ultrasonic cleaning

First, let's look at the positive properties of the procedure. The benefits of ultrasonic teeth cleaning are best demonstrated by before and after photos, which will allow you to clearly see the quality and results.

The technology is harmless and painless, unlike mechanical removal. The tooth is subjected to minimal impact, which does not reduce its strength and does not lead to serious injuries or chips. The scaler used during the session is sharpened according to special rules, which will allow maximum sparing of the enamel and effective cleansing of foreign deposits.

The procedure also allows you to obtain a perfectly smooth tooth surface, which prevents the occurrence of plaque in the near future.

Ultrasonic teeth cleaning before and after photos

There is one plus - the technology includes a gentle whitening stage, which allows you to return the enamel to its aesthetic natural shade.

A pleasant aspect is the increased comfort of the patient - minimal pain, efficiency of the procedure and regular irrigation of the treatment area with cool water.

And finally, ultrasonic cleaning improves the tooth’s resistance to subsequent procedures (fluoridation, silvering, filling, etc.), improves the adhesion of the material, and prevents caries.

Unfortunately, ultrasonic cleaning of teeth from stone has disadvantages:

The procedure cannot be considered painless for people with increased sensitivity of the enamel and advanced cases - local anesthesia by injection should almost always be used.
The technology is not used for people with allergic reactions to soda, salt, anesthetic, fluoride-containing pastes, polishes, etc.
The therapist may prohibit the event for people with cardiovascular diseases or respiratory diseases.
The event also requires increased caution if the patient has implants, fixed dentures or braces.
There are a number of contraindications.
Difficult working conditions for the dentist (splashes, decreased tactile sensitivity, etc.), which sometimes affects the result.
Inability to remove plaque in some areas.
There have been cases of damage to gums and enamel during the procedure.

Safety of the procedure and possible contraindications

Of course, patients are concerned about whether ultrasonic teeth cleaning is harmful (before and after photos can be seen below).

Professional teeth cleaning: before and after

Expert studies have proven that modern options for holding events are absolutely safe for health (except for contraindications). On the contrary, the use of ultrasound technology allows for powerful prevention of other dental ailments and lesions.

The effectiveness and safety of the procedure is evidenced by positive reviews left by satisfied clients.

In most countries, this event is even included in the list of standard and necessary dental procedures.

Of course, you should not overuse ultrasonic teeth cleaning. It is quite enough to carry it out once every 6-12 months.

Cleaning should be done no more than once every 6-12 months.

Unfortunately, there are some contraindications to the event:

the presence of implants, fixed orthopedic structures, as well as complex ones;
arrhythmia, serious heart and vascular diseases;
systemic chronic diseases (asthma, endocarditis, bronchitis, epilepsy), etc.;
acute diseases (infectious, viral, colds);
inflammatory processes and diseases in the area of influence;
age under 18 years;
serious diseases such as tuberculosis, AIDS, HIV, hepatitis, anemia, etc.

Important: ultrasonic teeth cleaning has no contraindications during pregnancy!

Oral care after ultrasonic teeth cleaning

As we found out above, after a set of procedures, the sensitivity and susceptibility of enamel to external irritants increases, therefore You should follow the rules of dental care for the first day:

It is important for the patient to remember that after the procedure the teeth become more susceptible to both positive and negative effects. Therefore, follow the recommendations, use fluoride-containing pastes, eat foods with calcium and potassium, and do not forget about regular hygiene!

Dental measures to remove deposits on teeth (tartar, plaque on enamel) are professional teeth cleaning. Tartar on teeth arises from dental plaque on planes inaccessible to a brush.

Such plaque cannot be removed with a toothbrush; food debris, calcium, phosphorus and iron salts crystallize into stones. If darkening appears on the enamel, this is a signal about the need for cleaning at the dentist.

Timely consultation with a doctor is an effective prevention of caries. Additionally, it gives your teeth an attractive appearance and your smile a natural whiteness.

Types

Some patients, out of ignorance, do not distinguish between teeth cleaning and teeth whitening - these are different activities, each aimed at its own result. Several types of cleaning have been developed in dentistry, the most popular:

ultrasonic scaler;
laser machine;
"air flow";
hygienic (manual).

Each of these types of cleansing has pros and cons. The methods are designed to get rid of problems (according to severity level).

Ultrasonic cleaning optimizes the condition of the gums and stops bleeding. The scaler has several contraindications.
Laser cleaning kills microorganisms and has a healing property - it heals mouth ulcers.
“Air flow” cleaning is performed using an air stream with an abrasive. There are contraindications.
Hygienic cleaning is a method of removing plaque using specialized dental brushes and hooks - this is a gentle method of removing tartar. Today, hygiene procedures at the dentist are used less frequently than others.

Only a dentist can choose the right way to clean enamel. When choosing, he takes into account the method suitable for a particular patient, age, and dental condition.

Ultrasonic teeth cleaning

This technique requires the presence of special equipment that produces ultrasonic waves. Under the influence of ultrasound, the stone crumbles and peels off from the enamel. The wave is directed and focused using a special hook (scaler). There is a negative side to the technique - ultrasound causes vibrations that heat not only the stone, but also the enamel.

Modern ultrasonic devices even remove plaque concentrated on the gums, maintaining their health. Ultrasound cleaning in a normal oral cavity is painless and safe for an absolute number of patients.

For some patients with hypersensitivity and chronic dental diseases, ultrasound is contraindicated - it can cause pain and relapse of the disease.

Laser teeth cleaning

Enamel and tartar have different percentages of water content - the mechanism of action of the laser procedure is based on this. There is much more water in tartar, so the laser beam promotes explosive boiling of water and crushing of harmful deposits.

In addition to removing unwanted deposits on teeth, the laser has a bactericidal effect. Thanks to this, pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity die and the enamel is strengthened.

Laser treatment is an effective measure even in terms of external effect - the enamel becomes lighter by one or two tones. In addition to cleaning, there is also laser whitening - you need to understand that these are different events.

Teeth brushing “air flow”

This type of procedure requires a dental device that performs cleaning with a highly targeted, powerful air jet. Air under enormous pressure quickly blows away plaque, traces of nicotine and food.

Some patients experience teeth whitening by several shades after this medical procedure, but this is a side effect and does not always happen.

After removing the plaque, if a person returns to the old lifestyle, the color of the teeth returns to their original state, they again acquire their natural shade. For the procedure to be effective, an abrasive and water are used. The abrasive used is baking soda, which does not harm the body and enamel. The advantage of this option is that the results last for a long period.

A variation of the “air flow” technique is the “perio-flow” procedure, which focuses on crushing stone under the gums. For this procedure, instead of soda, another abrasive based on a medical substance is used. Contraindications to the use of “perio-flow” are gum diseases, because it provokes an inflammatory process.

Hygienic cleaning

To maintain hygiene at home, manufacturers produce a number of products. It will not be possible to completely clean the enamel at home; with the greatest efforts, only 55% of plaque is removed. The remaining 45% are in hard-to-reach places - under the teeth or gums.

These unremoved plaque residues are enough to cause caries, periodontitis, and tartar in a person.

Hygienic cleaning by a doctor is carried out using a brush and specialized hooks. This measure completely prevents the development of caries and ensures a naturally snow-white smile and surprisingly smooth enamel. Manual cleaning by a dentist has no contraindications and is carried out twice or thrice a year.

After this hygienic procedure, the sensitivity of the gums and teeth occasionally increases. This is not dangerous, the discomfort goes away and does not cause further complications. To carry out prevention, a special gel with an antiseptic and antimicrobial effect for local use is applied to the gums. The gel is applied twice a day for 14 days after the procedure.

The second option to avoid discomfort is to rinse your mouth with a weak antiseptic solution or other special preparations. It should be borne in mind that alcohol solutions are prohibited during the first seven days after the procedure.

In the first week, it is useful to use soft toothbrushes, gradually replacing them with hard bristles. It is useful to use dental floss or a low-power irrigator.

What is prohibited after professional teeth cleaning?

The procedure increases the sensitivity of the enamel, so dentists are categorically against smoking during this period. You should also not eat food containing artificial and natural colors - coffee drinks, any types of tea, wine made from red grapes.

Beetroot juice, carrots, and berries that have an intense black, blue, and red color act similarly.

It is forbidden to drink liquids that increase the sensitivity of tooth enamel. These include highly carbonated drinks, lemon and apple juice. It is forbidden to use rinses containing alcohol for two weeks; a brush with hard bristles is not recommended.

Contraindications to professional teeth cleaning

There are many positive effects from the procedure, but there are also negative aspects and associated contraindications for use. These contraindications do not apply to every patient, but only in exceptional cases when the patient has individual distinctive characteristics of the gums or teeth.

Sensitivity of the gums and enamel - the procedure can be performed, but it will be painful, which is negatively perceived by patients.
Periodontitis and other oral pathologies are present.
Age less than 18 years.
Bacterial and viral diseases.
Allergy to medications and products used in the process.
Increased heart rate, arrhythmia.
Dangerous infections (hepatitis, tuberculosis, AIDS or HIV).
Multiple foci of caries.

The dentist's duty is to ask the patient about all of the above. Even if the disease or condition is not directly related to dental matters, it influences the doctor's decision.

A dentist who values his reputation will not agree to perform a procedure even for money if it harms the patient.

The harms and benefits of professional teeth cleaning

There is much controversy regarding the procedure. Some patients find it useful, while others claim that the procedure is dangerous for dental health. Dentists have long spoken out on this issue: the procedure is useful in moderation. Too frequent cleaning causes harm instead of benefit.

The norm is to perform the procedure twice a year (with an interval of six months). If you follow this simple schedule, no harm will be caused to the enamel.

The exception is the presence of crowns, bridges, and removable dentures. In patients with such elements in the oral cavity, tartar and plaque from the remains of bacterial activity form more quickly. Therefore, these patients receive cleanings every three to four months. Cleaning is a useful procedure, all causes of caries are removed, the enamel is not damaged.

The first step is to remove the stone using specialized tools, laser or ultrasound. Then the plaque, which is finer in structure, is removed. For this, specialized pastes and brushes are used. Then the teeth are varnished with fluoride to strengthen the enamel layer. The result is healthy teeth without signs of tartar or plaque. At the same time, the smell from the oral cavity disappears. Therefore, no damage to the teeth from the procedure is observed.

Professional teeth cleaning for pregnant women

Pregnancy is an important stage in the fate of a woman and her baby. The expectant mother wants to look attractive, but does not agree to put the baby’s health at risk for this. It is not surprising that pregnant women are constantly wondering whether the event will harm the baby?

The pregnant woman's body undergoes a powerful restructuring, in which the teeth also participate - their condition changes dramatically. The enamel becomes thinner, the tooth becomes vulnerable to the slightest infection. The procedure, performed competently and professionally, will protect the teeth by reducing the number of bacteria in the mouth. It is safe for the fetus and the pregnant woman, does not affect the systems and organs. No medications are used during the procedure, which is fundamentally important for pregnant women.

From this article you will learn:

how to get rid of tartar and pigment plaque,
what cleaning methods exist,
professional teeth cleaning – price 2019.

The article was written by a dentist with more than 19 years of experience.

Professional teeth cleaning is a procedure that includes the removal of hard dental deposits and pigmented plaque, which is carried out at a dentist’s appointment. Cleaning tartar and pigmented plaque can be carried out using various methods (ultrasound, AirFlow, Vector), or a combination of them.

At home, using a toothbrush and toothpaste, you can successfully remove only soft plaque from your teeth (Fig. 1). However, if the latter is not cleaned off in time, then it is gradually saturated with calcium salts contained in saliva. As a result of the mineralization process, soft microbial plaque turns into tartar (Fig. 2-3), which can only be removed by a dentist.

Important: The process of primary mineralization and soft plaque occurs on average in 6-12 hours. This time may vary for different people due to characteristics, for example, the composition of saliva, breathing through the mouth. Thus, if you have not brushed your teeth during this time, a thin layer of partially mineralized plaque will remain on your teeth, which cannot be removed with a regular toothbrush.

As soon as a rough film of plaque appears on the smooth enamel of teeth, the process of formation of tartar accelerates many times over. This is due to the fact that it is quite difficult for oral microorganisms to adhere to the smooth surface of tooth enamel. They stick to a rough surface very easily, very quickly increasing the mass of dental plaque.

The best method for professional cleaning is

Removing hard dental deposits always consists of two stages: firstly, the direct removal of the stone, and secondly, the mandatory polishing of the teeth after removing the stone, plaque, and pigment. After removing deposits, microparticles of plaque always remain on the surface of the tooth, which create a rough surface on which everything will stick again very quickly. Therefore, polishing is a must!

Removal of dental plaque and a massive layer of pigment should be done only with the help of ultrasound. But polishing can be done after this either with special polishing brushes and pastes - this process is reminiscent of brushing teeth with an electric toothbrush... Or with the help of AirFlow - this is a polishing method using a special apparatus that forms a water-air mixture with abrasive particles.

Important: Professional teeth cleaning ideally combines ultrasonic calculus removal + AirFlow polishing. If you only have mild pigmentation, then you can only do AirFlow.

Stage 1 – ultrasonic cleaning of tartar

Ultrasound cleaning of tartar is universal and most common in the world. The device for removing tartar can be built into a dental unit, or it can be made as a separate unit. Such a device is called an ultrasonic scaler (scaler).

What is ultrasonic cleaning(Fig. 4-6) –
The tip of the ultrasonic scaler has a working nozzle, the tip of which makes high-frequency oscillatory movements of ultrasonic frequency (from 25 to 50 kHz). In addition, during the cleaning process, water or an antiseptic solution is always supplied to the tip of the instrument, which are simultaneously removed from the oral cavity through a saliva ejector.

Removal of deposits and pigment plaque occurs through two processes. Firstly, the oscillating tip of the nozzle, when in contact with tartar and pigmented plaque, mechanically destroys their attachment to the tooth. The main condition here is that the linear oscillatory movements of the tip of the nozzle are directed along the surface of the tooth - then all excess will be removed, and the tooth enamel will remain intact.

Secondly, the removal of dental plaque and pigment occurs due to the cavitation effect. Water is not supplied to the tip of the nozzle in vain. Oscillations of ultrasonic frequency in an aqueous environment cause the formation of numerous bubbles, which seem to explode, releasing energy that is sufficient to destroy plaque and bacterial film on the surface of the enamel and tooth root (site).

Advantages of ultrasonic cleaning –

Versatility and quality –
Ultrasonic cleaning removes everything: pigment plaque and hard dental deposits, both supragingival and subgingival. Ultrasonic scalers usually have several attachments that are changed during the cleaning procedure. Large, short tips are used to remove massive stone, while longer and thinner ones are used to work in periodontal pockets (to remove subgingival dental plaque).

Bactericidal effect of ultrasound –
In patients with periodontitis, most of the infection is concentrated in periodontal pockets. Ultrasonic cleaning of subgingival deposits, due to the effect of cavitation, suppresses the pathogenic microflora of periodontal pockets, and the flow of liquid (which is supplied to the tip of the nozzle) simultaneously promotes their rinsing.

Comfort and affordable price –
The procedure is usually painless, but some vibration will be felt. Pain is usually associated with sensitive tooth necks, or with working in deep periodontal pockets. In the latter cases, anesthesia can be given. The cost of cleaning for 1 tooth is only 80-100 rubles, which is much cheaper than procedures using the Vесtor device.

Professional teeth cleaning: before and after photos

Under massive dental deposits, the mucous membrane is always thinned, swollen, and bleeds easily. Therefore, slight bleeding during and after the procedure is possible. To quickly normalize the gums after the procedure, they are treated with special gels, for example.

Disadvantages of ultrasonic cleaning –

Complications due to doctor incompetence –
It’s not that difficult to remove supragingival dental plaque... This can be done in 1 hour from all teeth, including polishing and fluoridation. But most people also have subgingival dental plaque, which is localized under the gum in periodontal pockets. Such deposits are not visible visually and must be specifically looked for.
Searching for such deposits, and especially their high-quality removal, is a very long process and often requires 3-4 procedures. Very few doctors know how and want to do this. Therefore, high-quality professional cleaning in patients with gum disease should be carried out only by those who specialize in gum disease. If you really only have supragingival deposits, then you can safely go to a regular dentist.

Stage 2 of cleaning – teeth polishing

The traditional method of polishing is the use of special polishing brushes and pastes (Fig. 10), and polishing the contacts between teeth is carried out using strips - special thin strips with abrasive applied to them.

Developed by the Swiss company EMS, it involves polishing teeth using a water-air mixture containing abrasive particles (Fig. 11). The mixture is supplied under pressure and allows you to remove from your teeth everything that remains after ultrasonic cleaning, polishing them to a mirror shine. The freshness in the mouth after such polishing is simply amazing.

Professional oral hygiene: photos before and after ultrasonic cleaning + AirFlow

Stage 3 – fluoridation

This is not a mandatory step, however, it is highly desirable. It will strengthen weakened enamel, reduce tooth hypersensitivity, and is an excellent prevention of caries. Fluoridation involves applying fluoride-containing gels/varnishes to the surface of teeth for a short period of time.

Professional teeth cleaning: price

How much does professional teeth cleaning cost? The price for 2019 in economy class and mid-price clinics will average about 100 rubles per tooth (this includes cleaning and polishing).

For example, in the regions, at an all-inclusive rate, which includes removal of tartar + polishing of all teeth with AirFlow + fluoridation using a mouth guard with gel - cleaning costs approximately 2500–3500 rubles. In Moscow clinics, the price for “all inclusive” starts from 4,000 rubles, but if you do not have massive plaque, then simply polishing all your teeth with polishing brushes and paste will cost about 2,000 rubles.

Sources:

1. Add. professional,
2. Based on personal experience as a periodontist,
3. National Library of Medicine (USA),
4. American Academy of Periodontology (USA),
5. “Therapeutic dentistry. Textbook" (Borovsky E.V.).

Brushing your teeth in the dentist's chair is the main procedure for oral health. And at the same time, there are many myths about the dangers of professional cleaning. Let's dispel them once and for all!

Myth1. Ultrasonic cleaning is harmful to teeth and destroys them.

Some patients who come to the dentist for the first time for prof. hygiene, after removing hard dental deposits (tartar), sensitivity appears, and the patient perceives this fact as harm. In fact, this is far from the case.

Reality. As a rule, enamel hypersensitivity occurs in people with abundant dental plaque. This happens because the tooth enamel, which has been under a layer of dental plaque for a long time, is demineralized, i.e. loses calcium, potassium, fluorine, magnesium and other micronutrients that normally enter the tooth tissue from saliva. When a tooth is covered with tartar and plaque, the enamel suffers and, as a result, caries develops, not to mention gum inflammation. Thus, when tartar is removed with an ultrasonic attachment, the enamel is released and naturally reacts to any external irritations (cold, sweet, sour), of course, if there is no caries in the oral cavity. Over time, the tooth will receive all the nutrients from saliva and the sensitivity will go away. And when special pastes are prescribed to reduce sensitivity, this process will be reduced significantly. In our practice, our specialists use the thinnest ultrasonic nozzles from leading German manufacturers with minimal power and maximum water supply, which significantly reduces any discomfort during the procedure.

Myth2. The powder used for cleaning spoils the enamel and causes tooth sensitivity.

Reality. Microbial and pigmented plaque is harmful to teeth and gums, which turns into tartar if hygiene is poor. Brushing teeth with a special powder (or air-abrasive method) is able to remove plaque in the most inaccessible places where a toothbrush is ineffective. Until recently, this procedure used sodium-based powder, and patients experienced an unpleasant taste of soda in the mouth, which irritated the gums and oral cavity. Now we do not use such powder in our practice. Teeth are cleaned of plaque and food coloring using the PROPHYflex device. . This technology uses KaVoPROPHYpearls powder. It's not even a powder, but a special calcium-based powder. Its particles are much smaller than sodium and have a rounded shape, which makes it possible to clean the tooth surface as safely as possible without damaging the enamel and gums.

Myth3. Dental coatings containing fluoride are harmful to the body.

Reality. In dentistry, fluoride is used in the form of applications that are applied to the enamel. It does not have a negative effect on the condition of the body as a whole. Fluoride is one of the main components of enamel and its lack can lead to weakening of tooth enamel. Fluoride enters the body and tooth enamel from water and food. After professional hygiene, coating the enamel with fluoride and calcium is a mandatory component of this procedure, since the pellicle, the protective film of the tooth, is removed along with dental plaque; it forms 2 hours after the procedure. Therefore, it is important to cover your teeth with special coatings after brushing. And it is not recommended to eat within 2 hours after the procedure.

Myth4. Professional hygiene and whitening are one and the same.

Reality. They think so because after brushing, as a rule, the enamel of the teeth becomes lighter due to the fact that pigmented deposits that form on the enamel during life are removed. The enamel brightens by 2.3 tones, acquiring its natural shade, which is perceived by many patients as... Professional whitening and professional oral hygiene are two completely different procedures. Whitening is the effect of special substances on the enamel, which, penetrating into the enamel and dentin, whiten the teeth from the inside by several tones (up to 10 tones). Before the procedure, it is imperative to consult with a dental therapist and have your teeth cleaned of plaque and tartar in the office of a dental hygienist. Professional cleaning does not require special preparation and makes teeth lighter naturally.

Professional hygiene is the basis before starting any dental treatment

Myth 5. Professional hygiene should be done after dental treatment.

Reality. Professional hygiene should be done before any medical manipulations in the oral cavity. This is the basic basics before starting any treatment. If you have subgingival calculus, it will be very difficult for the doctor to restore the tooth, since the gums can usually bleed and it will be difficult to restore the tooth wall. Blood is a breeding ground for the proliferation of bacteria, and when creating a restoration, bacteria are of no use. This reduces the quality of treatment. Also, soft and pigmented plaque on the teeth interferes with the correct selection of the shade of the future restoration; as a result, it may differ from the color of your natural enamel. If you are planning orthopedic treatment, then professional hygiene must be carried out before and after the placement of the orthopedic structure. In order to correctly determine the color of the crowns so that they do not differ from the color of your teeth, as well as to remove subgingival stone and the crown “settled” without problems from the outside. gums Afterwards, to clean the space between your teeth and the orthopedic structure, to maintain their durability. Tooth extraction is also an indication for professional oral hygiene in order to significantly reduce the presence of plaque and bacteria, which are absolutely not needed in the oral cavity after tooth extraction. Well, before you also need to clean the enamel from plaque to avoid the formation of caries under braces or aligners.

Myth 6. Professional cleaning is done the same way in all clinics. It doesn't matter where you do it.

Reality: Comprehensive teeth cleaning should consist of several stages: ultrasonic cleaning in the presence of stone, plaque removal, surface polishing, and strengthening of teeth. Compliance with all stages, as well as the use of modern technologies, guarantees the quality of the service provided. Equipment alone is not enough to carry out the procedure; the professionalism of the dentist is also important, whether cleaning is carried out in the clinic by individual hygienists or whether it is combined by dental therapists along with a regular appointment. In clinics where hygiene is put first, there are hygiene rooms where only professional teeth cleaning is carried out. When choosing a clinic, pay attention to what stages the cleaning consists of, what technologies the doctors use, and also how long the procedure lasts. On average, preventative cleaning lasts about an hour. Trust your health to professionals.

Myth 7. It is not necessary to go for cleaning once every six months, you can do it less often.

As statistics show, within six months, most people develop a soft and pigmented plaque on their teeth (from coffee, tea, smoking, etc.), which cannot be removed with a regular toothbrush. Plaque and tartar are the main causes of caries and other oral diseases. Dentists all over the world recommend undergoing professional hygiene once every 6 months not only to clean your teeth, but also to diagnose dental diseases at an early stage. Patients who wear braces, aligners, orthopedic structures (crowns, implants, inlays), as well as children, need to visit the hygienist’s office once every 3 months or more often as prescribed by the treating dentist. In addition, visiting a professional cleaner regularly will allow you to save money, since cleaning only from plaque is cheaper than cleaning with severe plaque formation.

Ksenia Evgenievna Tverdokhleb, dentist, hygiene specialist:“After brushing their teeth, I recommend that my patients always change their toothbrush so that “old” bacteria do not penetrate the cleaned teeth. Use dental floss, an irrigator, rinses, brush your teeth 2 times a day, and ideally after each meal, if this is not possible, after eating carbohydrate foods, rinse your mouth with plain water to prevent the effect of sugar on the tooth enamel. Regularly visit your hygiene specialist twice a year; he will help you adjust your hygiene if necessary.”