What is teeth polishing?
Teeth polishing is a simple dental procedure with both health and aesthetic benefits. It is done to remove dental plaque accumulation and smoothen the tooth surfaces. The main focus of tooth polishing is to give a highly polished and aesthetic appearance by reducing corrosion of metallic restorations and erasing the extrinsic stains.
What are the types of teeth polishing?
Traditional teeth polishing
Traditional tooth polishing makes use of a small rubber cup and polishing paste in fine, medium, or coarse grades.
Air-polishing
Air polishing is a more effective technique than traditional teeth polishing. An air-polishing system uses a jet of pressurized air and water mixed with an abrasive agent such as sodium bicarbonate or glycine powders. This mixture is delivered through a small nozzle and is used for polishing when there are severe stains present on the surface of teeth.
Therapeutic polishing
Therapeutic polishing is used to remove bacteria from the tooth roots that are exposed during dental surgery. The main purpose of therapeutic polishing is to reduce endotoxin and microflora on the cementum- the hardest layer that covers the root of the tooth.
Cosmetic polishing
Cosmetic polishing, also known as coronal polishing, aims mainly to make teeth free of tartar and diminish the surface scratches lesser than the wavelength of visible light. It uses extra-fine abrasive agents to create shiny and reflective white colors.
Polishing of teeth- how is it done?
Teeth polishing is done in the following steps:
- In the first step, the dentist inspects your teeth for decay and any weak spots. In this process, they also identify the type of stain, which is crucial for determining the type of paste and the abrasive agent.
- The next step is scaling In this step, plaque and tartar are scraped from the surface of your teeth.
- Then, the polishing of teeth is done to remove the staining.
- The teeth are flossed and topped with a protective coat of fluoride.
What are the benefits of teeth polishing?
- Prevents dental plaque buildup
- Preserve dental enamel
- Removes surface stains
- Help chase away bad breath.
- Removes oral bacteria
- Improves overall teeth appearance
- Lowers chances of gum disease
How much does polishing of teeth cost?
The final cost for polishing teeth differs for every individual depending on the following factors such as:
- Type of the polishing
- The severity of the stain
- Extent of cleaning
- Insurance coverage
- Experience of the dentist
- Location of the clinic
- Post-treatment follow-ups
How often should you consider tooth polishing?
According to experts, everyone should undergo tooth polishing at least once every six months. For those patients who suffer from periodontal issues and a faster plaque buildup, tooth polishing is recommended every 2 months.
Teeth polishing-precautions
Regarding teeth polishing, given below are some points that you should be careful about:
- Everyone should undergo tooth polishing because tartar buildup is not prevented by just the regular brushing. However, teeth polishing should be done only if your stains are extrinsic- arising due to poor dental hygiene or wrong food habits, and not intrinsic- due to internal factors.
- Make sure that you are not allergic to any of the abrasives or solutions used during the procedure.
- Avoid getting teeth polishing if you have cavities, enamel problems, tooth sensitivity, or respiratory issues.
City Dental Care is one of the best dental clinics in Wakad, Pune. Our dentists are highly skilled and are renowned for providing quality treatment to patients. We provide a wide range of dental treatments; whether you are having oral issues or wish to enhance the appearance of your smile, we are here to help you! For more, contact us today!
