Understanding Your Recommended Cleaning

Not all dental cleanings are the same. The type of cleaning you need depends on the health of your gums, the amount of buildup present, your X-rays, and whether there are signs of gum disease.

Healthy Cleaning (D1110)

A healthy cleaning is recommended for patients with:

• Healthy gums
• Minimal plaque or tartar buildup
• Little to no bleeding
• No radiographic bone loss
• No attachment loss
• No active periodontal disease

This is a routine preventive cleaning designed to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Scaling in the Presence of Inflammation (D4346)

A D4346 cleaning is recommended when there is:

• Generalized moderate or severe gum inflammation
• Bleeding and swelling
• Plaque buildup
• Mild tartar above the gumline
• No radiographic bone loss
• No attachment loss
• No active periodontal disease
• No significant radiographic calculus deposits

This cleaning is more involved than a routine cleaning because the gums are inflamed and require additional treatment, even though periodontal disease is not yet present.

Full Mouth Debridement (D4355)

A debridement is recommended when there is such heavy plaque, tartar, and buildup that the doctor cannot properly evaluate the teeth and gums.

Heavy radiographic calculus, generalized buildup, and significant inflammation may prevent an accurate diagnosis until the buildup is removed.

A debridement is not considered a routine cleaning and is often the first step before determining whether a patient needs:

• A healthy cleaning (D1110)
• Scaling in the Presence of Inflammation (D4346)
• Periodontal treatment such as deep cleaning (D4342 and or D4341)

Why Might My Cleaning Type Change?

Many patients expect to receive a routine cleaning, but after reviewing the exam, X-rays, and gum measurements, the doctor may determine that a different type of cleaning is more appropriate.

We determine the correct treatment based on:

• Gum measurements and probing depths
• Bleeding and inflammation
• Bone levels
• Tartar below the gums
• Attachment loss
• Overall periodontal health

Our goal is to recommend the treatment that is best for your oral health, not simply the amount of buildup that is visible.