Sometimes when we have a patient that comes in to our Keller, TX dental office, the patient may need an in depth dental cleaning prior to a typical prophylaxis cleaning. This service is called a debridement and may help new dental patients or those that haven’t been to the dentist in years to understand what to expect when visiting the dentist after a long period of time.
First off, don’t be alarmed or worried that something painful or uncomfortable is required to clean up your teeth. Our dental hygienists are legitimately (our opinion) the best in Texas and trust me we’ve seen patients with teeth in more dire need of care than yours walk out happy and smiling.
What is debridement?
Not your typical teeth cleaning, a debridement is the “gross (total) removal of plaque and tartar that interfere with the ability of the dentist to perform a complete oral examination”. What this means to the patient is that plaque and tartar have embedded themselves in and around the gums as well as between the teeth. As a patient with this issue, it can become so excessive that plaque breaks off when chewing hard foods, gums are red and bleed when brushing, as well as noticeable foul breath.
Why do I need a debridement?
In a case where we find debridement to be necessary prior to a complete oral examination, the reasons would be from the gum tissue being inflamed, red, and swollen due to plaque and calculus buildup. The hygienist will clean your teeth prior to the dentist doing an examination of your teeth and gums to ensure that the dentist can provide the best pictures as to your oral health as a whole.
How long does gross debridement take?
Gross debridement procedures are similar to cleanings, but more in depth and require special equipment to get rid of the plaque and tartar that have strengthened their hold on your teeth and gums over time. It’s essentially a pre-cleaning at our dental office and is usually finished within an hour, but may take a bit longer depending upon how serious the buildup.
How often will I need a debridement?
If you take proper care of your teeth and gums, you shouldn’t need to continue having debridement treatments at the dentist prior to your examination. With proper oral hygiene, most patients are able to return for normal prophylaxis cleanings.
Gross Debridement Cleaning in Keller, TX
Dr. Pickett’s amazing hygienists are able to provide debridement cleanings in Keller, TX if you’re suffering from plaque and tartar buildup. Simply schedule a dental cleaning directly or call our dental office if you have questions.
