ScalingTartar removal · Teeth cleaning
- What it does
- Surface tartar
- Shaving
- None
- Inner color
- Unchanged
- Gum
- Does not grow back
- Same day
- Often finished
- Cost
- Explained after exam
Scaling removes the hard tartar stuck to the surface of your teeth. It touches the teeth the least, and often removing the tartar is all that is needed.
Gums that have already receded and color inside the tooth do not come back with scaling. First we check whether it is surface staining.
If the gum and bone are wearing away, we do not stop at cleaning the surface. In that case, gum treatment comes first.
Why scaling
It touches the teeth the leastNo shaving. We lift off the tartar stuck to the surface.
Removing it may be enoughIf the staining is on the surface, it may end here, before any whitening agents or coverings.
It is done the same dayNo impressions are taken. But if the gum and bone also need attention, it will not be finished that day.
How scaling works
No shaving. First we tell whether it is a surface issue or a gum and bone issue.
- 01
We check if it is on the surface
We tell whether it is tartar, color inside the tooth, or gum and bone wearing away.
- 02
We remove the tartar
We lift off the hard tartar. The smooth surface underneath is revealed.
- 03
We look at the remaining color
If you are happy with the color after cleaning, we stop here. If the color is inside the tooth, we discuss whitening.
- 04
If it is the gum and bone, we move on
Sometimes the surface alone does not solve it. In that case, we continue with gum treatment.
How we handle gums and bone
Tartar on the surface and the cause that breaks down gum and bone are two different things. We look at where the problem starts.
Removing tartar
We remove the hard tartar stuck to the tooth surface. It is the treatment that touches the teeth the least. But gums that have already receded, and color inside the tooth, do not come back with this treatment.
Removing the cause
This stops the gum and bone from breaking down. If this step is skipped, no other treatment will last. But gums that have already receded will not grow back on their own.
Color inside the tooth stays
Cleaning the surface does not remove color inside the tooth. If the discoloration is inside the tooth, whitening comes first. If it is at a filling, we check that filling first.
The support weakens
When bone breaks down, the front teeth get pushed and spread apart. In this case we do not close the gap first. We stop the progression, then look at the shape.
Is this all I need?
If it is surface staining, it often ends here. Color inside the tooth and receded gums do not come back.
Will my teeth get whiter?
Once surface tartar is gone, your teeth may look brighter. This is different from whitening, which lightens the color inside the tooth.
Will it feel sensitive?
Your teeth may feel sensitive for a while after the tartar comes off, and more so if the necks of the teeth are already exposed.
How often should I have it done?
Tartar builds up at a different rate for each person. We will tell you the interval after the exam. We do not set a fixed schedule for everyone.
