Scaling, debridement, sanitization, and “teeth cleaning”, are all interchangeable words used to describe the same thing. To remove hard and soft deposits that cause dental disease from above or below your gums. It is a procedure that is performed by a Registered Dental Hygienist.

 

The goal of scaling, debridement, sanitization or teeth cleaning, is to treat and prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease by removing the biofilm (bacteria, yeast, amoeba, fungi, and protozoa) that accumulate in your mouth.

 

Aesthetically, you may be motivated to have your teeth debrided or scaled, but the most important reason for having your teeth debrided, or scaled, is to remove the disease-causing biofilm or pathogens in your mouth.

 

How do we scale, debride, sanitize or “clean your teeth”?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first concern is to make the debridement process comfortable for you. We use a variety of dental scalers, that are made of high-quality steel, and are always kept sharp so there are less pull and fewer strokes applied to your teeth to remove the stain and hard and soft deposits on your teeth.

 

What is that machine you are using to clean my teeth?

 

At Heritage Dental Hygiene, we use piezoelectric ultrasonic scaling technology made by EMS, a company based out of Europe. To convert electrical power to move in the working tip, the piezoelectric scaler uses ceramic crystal vibrations. The vibratory motions of the crystals are transformed to the tip of the instrument to produce a linear movement at 32, 000 cycles per second. The piezoelectric working tip screws into the end of the hand-piece, and are available in many angles depending on where the dental hygienist is using the tip. Because of the tip moving in a linear motion, the side of the tip is used to remove debris on the teeth instead of the actual tip. Very little heat is generated from the piezoelectric tip which makes its use very comfortable for the client. Less water comes out of the tip to reduce the feeling of drowning during dental hygiene treatment. Water reservoirs attach directly to each machine and can be interchanged with distilled water or mouthwash, depending on the client’s needs. The piezoelectric scaler has a micro-controller to ensure client comfort during dental hygiene treatment. The piezoelectric system comes with a series of specialized tips for clients with periodontal disease, implants, veneers, crowns, and bridges. One of the tips has a plastic coating on it, so it does not scratch your expensive dental work. This system is not typically found in most dental offices because traditionally, it is not learned in dental hygiene school. All of the dental hygienists in our office have had additional training to learn to use the piezoelectric system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cost of scaling, debridement, sanitization and “teeth cleaning”, is based on how long it takes the registered dental hygienist to remove the stain and hard and soft deposits in your mouth.

 

The cost is based on a fee guide set by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario.

15 minutes of scaling, debridement, sanitization and “teeth cleaning” costs – $54.80

30 minutes of scaling, debridement, sanitization and “teeth cleaning” costs – $109.62

45 minutes of scaling, debridement, sanitization and “teeth cleaning” costs – $164.44

 

 

There are additional fees to have your teeth polished, and a fluoride application applied to your teeth.

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