What To Expect From a Deep Teeth Cleaning
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What To Expect From a Deep Teeth Cleaning

December 19, 2022

While taking a seat in a dentist’s chair can cause a spike in most people’s stress levels, it’s recommended you have a routine dental cleaning at least once a year.

However, many people, as much as half of us adults, may need the more comprehensive deep cleaning. Find out what that means, why you need it, and what you can look forward to.

What Is Deep Teeth Cleaning?

Deep teeth cleaning is a less formal name for a procedure called periodontal scaling and root planing. In some ways, it’s similar to the standard cleaning that you’d get from a dental hygienist. Both involve the removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum line to treat or prevent periodontitis. However, dental deep cleaning is a more thorough treatment most often used when bacteria have already begun to cause a serious infection.

An infection in the gums is called gingivitis or gum disease. It’s usually caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar, which creates an anaerobic environment for bacteria to thrive around the teeth and under the gum line. Left untreated, it can turn into a worse form of infection called periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss and worse.

The difference between a deep dental cleaning, which includes scaling and root planing, and routine dental cleaning is really just a matter of thoroughness. The dental hygienist who will remove plaque from your mouth on your next visit is doing a general cleaning so the dentist can see what may need treatment. Deep cleaning is a more complex procedure, includes root planing, and may include another treatment like using lasers to kill bacteria.

Who Is Deep Teeth Cleaning For?

Deep cleaning is used when an infection has caused gingivitis or, more seriously, periodontal disease. It includes two aspects; scaling, where tartar buildup that can hide bacteria is removed, and root planing, which involves smoothing the rough surface of the roots below the gum line.
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How dental Insurance can help with dental payments

July 24, 2021

Dental insurance can help with payment of your dental bills. At Neem Dental Clinic, Harrow, we accept all kinds of dental insurance both personal and corporate including BUPA, Unum Dental, Allianz, Simply Health, and many other leading companies.

The way it works, is you would need to pay for your dental costs with us and then claim the money back from your dental insurance provider. It is worth noting that some policies may only pay out if you’ve been with them for at least 3 or 6 months, so it is worth checking your policy.

Treatment that is covered by dental insurance

Each dental insurance provider will have a policy that covers an element of dental care, but most should cover general dental treatment such as check-ups, X-rays and scale and polish. They will also cover dental emergency treatment and payment for restorative treatment such as fillings, crowns and root canals. 

Cosmetic treatment such as teeth straightening, or teeth whitening are not typically included. 

To be sure, it is always worth finding out before having your treatment done, as the amount of cover provided may differ depending on the amount you pay for the insurance.

The benefits

A dental insurance policy can be an effective way to budget and manage dental costs, especially if you want to protect yourself from costly dental bills in the future.

Dental insurance also should give you peace of mind in the event of unpredictable events such as a dental emergency, as it can cover you without you having to worry about the fees for the treatment required. You can usually choose whether to pay monthly or annually to suit your circumstances.