This appointment is performed by a registered dental hygienist. We make every effort for you to see the same hygienist at each cleaning visit so that you can develop a relationship. The hygienist will remove plaque (soft deposits), tartar or calculus (hard deposits), and stain from your teeth. The evaluation of the gum tissue, probing pockets and recording their depths for future reference will also be accomplished. After the cleaning, the hygienist will polish your teeth to a beautiful shine.

Fluoride is a mineral that is found naturally in many things we eat or drink. It is nature’s way of helping prevent cavities, and it plays an important role in helping to keep your teeth for a lifetime. Professional (in-office) fluoride treatments make teeth stronger and even reverse damage from decay in the outer layers of enamel on the smooth surfaces of the teeth. Additional home fluoride treatments assist in this process. 

Dr. Morrison and his team will spend time gathering needed information prior to talking with you about your dental care needs. It is important for us to have a good baseline of information so we can track your successes. If you are periodontally healthy, that is where we want you to stay. Once diagnosed with periodontal disease, dealing with its effects in your mouth and teeth will be a continual battle throughout your lifetime. Monitoring will be done through thorough documentation whether you are periodontally healthy or in need of periodontal treatment.

Often, the first treatment option is active periodontal treatment (root planning, scaling, and curettage). This extensive cleaning treatment is provided by our hygienist for patients who have both soft and hard deposits embedded in the teeth, tissue, and bone supporting the teeth, as well as embedded bacteria and toxins buried below the gum line on the teeth. When soft and hard deposits attach to your teeth below the gum line, they pull the gum tissue away from the tooth, creating deep pockets. The deposits must be removed so that the gingival tissue can heal and close the pocket. If not treated, the deposits and bacteria will continue to cause more damage to the bone, tissue, and teeth.