The type of dental cleaning you receive depends on the present health of your teeth, gums, and surrounding bone. These include:

• Dental prophylaxis – Typically done every 6 months, this is for people who have relatively healthy mouths with little to no bone loss.
• Debridement – Done as a separate appointment before the prophylaxis, this may be needed if you have a large buildup of plaque and calculus, but do not have much bone loss. You will probably need to come in for a prophylaxis appointment soon after the initial debridement treatment.
• Scaling and Root Planning – This is for patients who have had significant bone loss around some of their teeth and need a deeper cleaning. This procedure may take up to four appointments to complete.

During your cleaning appointment you may also receive a fluoride treatment to help protect your teeth between cleanings. The hygienist can also give you advice on how to improve home care. Dr. Sherer checks after each cleaning appointment to make sure your mouth is at its optimum health.