Ladd Dental Group

Here’s a clear breakdown of the difference between a standard cleaning (prophylaxis) and a deep cleaning ( scaling and root planing , SRP) , and why the costs are so different: Standard Cleaning ( Prophy ) Purpose: Preventive care for patients with generally healthy gums and no significant bone loss. What it includes: Removal of soft plaque and hardened tartar (calculus) from above the gumline and slightly below. Polishing of teeth to remove surface stains. Who it’s for: People who come in for regular 6-month cleanings and don’t have periodontal (gum) disease. Time & effort: Usually 30–60 minutes, less invasive, typically performed by a hygienist . Insurance: Most dental insurances cover it 100% as a preventive service. Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing, SRP) Purpose: Treatment of gum disease (periodontitis) where tartar, plaque, and bacteria have collected deep below the gumline and caused gum detachment or bone loss. What it incl...

Dental Cleaning Vs Soft Tissue Management   Most patients come into the dental office twice a year for a teeth cleaning . However, some patients are told that they need to get a deep cleaning instead, and that they need to see us more often than twice a year.  While a regular teeth cleaning is a routine procedure, it’s important to know that a deep cleaning is very different and is actually a treatment for an oral disease. If you pay attention when you visit the dentist, you may hear our staff and hygienists referring to your appointment as “a prophy”. This is short for “prophylactic”, which is a word that comes from Greek and means “treatment to prevent a disease”. We call a teeth cleaning prophylactic because the purpose of a cleaning is to prevent disease or dental problems in a patient that has otherwise healthy teeth and gums.   A deep cleaning is often referred to as “ soft tissue management ” or “periodontal therapy”. That’s because a deep clea...