For the friend who asked this question, you are certainly not alone! After scaling, the visible calculus has disappeared, and many people may feel that their oral health has improved and therefore question the need for subgingival scaling. One might even think that this is an extra service that doctors are deliberately selling in order to make more profit.
However, scaling and scaling are two different ways to do this, and they target different problems. Scaling is mainly about removing tartar and plaque from the tooth surface and gums, while scaling is aimed at tartar and plaque under the gums. If calculus is not removed for a long time, it can lead to gingivitis, which can progress to periodontitis and the formation of periodontal pockets. Bacteria multiply in the periodontal pockets and may trigger inflammation and resorption of the alveolar bone, leading to loosening or even loss of teeth.
So, what is subgingival scaling?
Subgingival scaling is a ** way to clean tartar and plaque under the gums. In a healthy state, the root of the tooth is tightly wrapped around the gums, but in the case of periodontitis, bacteria and dirt can penetrate deep into the base of the tooth root, forming plaque and calculus. This type of plaque and calculus, which is located deep in the gums, cannot be removed by brushing and scaling alone, so it needs to be thoroughly removed by scaling.
So, who needs to have a subgingival scaling?
The need for subgingival scaling is a decision made by a professional doctor based on the patient's specific situation. In general, if the doctor finds that the depth under the gums is more than three millimeters after several consecutive cleanings, a subgingival scaling may be required.
So, if your doctor recommends that you get a subgingival scaling, you may already have subgingival calculus that needs to be cleaned more deeply. For those who have not yet developed to this point, be sure to brush their teeth regularly and clean their teeth regularly to maintain oral health and avoid the need for subgingival scaling.
Subgingival scraping