TREATMENTS · DR. JEFFREY MA D.D.S.
dental hygiene visits
Give your teeth and gums the most thorough dental cleaning possible — every 3-6 months — including laser bacterial reduction and ultrasonic scaling to reduce your risk of gum disease.
1. Thorough Dental Examination
Your dentist and hygienist complete a thorough dental examination at each visit.
Regular examinations ensure that we can identify oral health problems early, and help you address them with preventative care habits or therapies.
At regular intervals (or if it’s your first visit) we’ll conduct a comprehensive examination to account for the following aspects of your medical and oral health:
Medical history, medications, allergies – to determine links between your overall health and dental condition and ensure that dental procedures are safe and healthy for you.
Orofacial structures – the dentist examines your head, neck, lymph nodes, muscles of mastication, salivary glands, and TMJ (jaw joint).
Intraoral soft tissues – the dentist examines the inside of your mouth to check for pathologies and abnormalities.
Orthodontic and dental – the dentist examines how your teeth come together and each tooth in detail.
X-rays – when necessary, your hygienist takes a low-radiation digital x-ray to identify issues that can’t be seen in a visual examination.
Periodontal evaluation – your hygienist measures your gum pocket depth and assess your overall gum and jaw bone health.
2. Laser Bacterial Reduction
To start the dental hygiene process, your hygienist uses a laser to safely decontaminate your gums — killing 99% of harmful bacteria below the gum line in less than seven minutes!
This has significant whole health benefits: removing harmful bacteria fights the effects of gum disease and it keeps that harmful bacteria from spreading to other parts of your mouth and body. Bacterial counts remain low for three months.
The treated area may become red and warm — a normal healing reaction that temporarily increases circulation to remove waste products. The patient and the hygienist wear protective eyewear. Lasers are non-ionizing and not known to cause cancer.
DID YOU KNOW?
Because of the extra equipment and training required, many dental clinics do not offer laser decontamination, or charge a significant fee for it. We only charge a minimal amount for this service.
3. Scaling + Polishing
Ultrasonic Scaling – An ultrasonic scaling instrument uses high-frequency vibrations and a small amount of water to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from beneath your gum tissues. Afterwards, a brief hand scaling ensures that plaque and tartar has been completely removed.
Working at a microscopic level to softly break up difficult tartar — without scraping — ultrasonic scaling is comfortable and effective. Your hygienist may recommend it, or you can request it. It’s optional and at no extra cost.
Hand Scaling – Your hygienist removes plaque and calculus (tartar) from beneath your gum tissues with skill and comfort. Our experienced hygienists have spent years refining their hand scaling technique.
Polishing – Your hygienist polishes your teeth back to their natural smoothness.
We don’t use topical fluoride in our commitment to whole health dentistry.
VIDEO: ULTRASONIC SCALER
4. Examination + Preventative Care Review
At the end of your appointment, we discuss the results of your comprehensive dental examination.
If you need cavities fixed or we find other issues requiring treatment, we help you decide on a treatment plan and confirm your follow-up appointments.
Your hygienist recommends a dental hygiene visit schedule and reviews preventative care techniques.
Finally, you get your brand new toothbrush and dental floss!
LEARN MORE
You can always refer to our preventative dental care guide for help with the essential habits needed to maintain your family’s dental health.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions!