
Apply These 8 Secret Techniques To Improve What Do Dentist Remove Tartar With
April 05, 2025
Tartar (also known as calculus) is a hardened form of plaque that can accumulate on your teeth over time. It can cause oral health issues like gum disease, cavities, and bad breath if not removed properly. What Do Dentist Remove Tartar With plaque buildup, tartar requires professional intervention from a dentist or dental hygienist. Dentists use various tools and techniques to remove tartar effectively, and by applying advanced methods, the procedure can be made more efficient and comfortable.
In this article, What Do Dentist Remove Tartar With use to improve the process of tartar removal. These strategies ensure better, quicker results with less discomfort for the patient, leading to improved oral health.
1. Ultrasonic Scalers: The High-Frequency Solution
Ultrasonic scalers are one of the most commonly used tools by dentists for tartar removal. These devices use high-frequency sound waves that vibrate a small metal tip, causing the tartar to loosen and break apart from the tooth surface. Ultrasonic scalers are highly effective, efficient, and often preferred over traditional hand scaling.
- Benefits:
- Quick and Efficient: Ultrasonic devices remove tartar much faster than manual tools.
- Gentle on Teeth and Gums: The vibrations are gentle, reducing the risk of damaging enamel or irritating gums.
- Cleans Below the Gum Line: The ultrasonic scaler can reach areas beneath the gumline, removing hidden tartar and bacteria.
- Quick and Efficient: Ultrasonic devices remove tartar much faster than manual tools.
- How it Works:
- The dentist or hygienist uses a handpiece with an ultrasonic tip to direct high-frequency sound waves at the tartar.
- Water is sprayed alongside to wash away debris and cool the instrument.
- The vibrations dislodge tartar from both the visible tooth surface and below the gumline.
- The dentist or hygienist uses a handpiece with an ultrasonic tip to direct high-frequency sound waves at the tartar.
Using an ultrasonic scaler results in quicker cleanings, less discomfort, and more thorough tartar removal.
2. Air Polishing: The Gentle Jet of Cleanliness
Air polishing is a newer technique used by dentists to remove tartar, plaque, and surface stains. This method involves a high-pressure stream of air, water, and a special polishing powder that is sprayed onto the teeth. The powder gently removes tartar without scraping or scratching the enamel.
- Benefits:
- Less Invasive: Air polishing is non-abrasive, making it gentler on the teeth and gums compared to manual scraping.
- Effective for Stubborn Stains: It works well for removing stains caused by coffee, tea, or tobacco, which are often associated with tartar buildup.
- Comfortable: Most patients find air polishing less uncomfortable than traditional cleaning methods.
- Less Invasive: Air polishing is non-abrasive, making it gentler on the teeth and gums compared to manual scraping.
- How it Works:
- A handpiece is used to blast a fine powder mixture (often sodium bicarbonate or glycine) at the teeth.
- The powder works in conjunction with the water spray to polish the surface of the teeth, removing tartar and staining.
- The process is quick, and patients typically experience minimal discomfort.
- A handpiece is used to blast a fine powder mixture (often sodium bicarbonate or glycine) at the teeth.
Air polishing is a great option for individuals with sensitive teeth or those who need a deep clean that targets surface stains and tartar simultaneously.
3. Laser Dentistry: Cutting-Edge Precision for Tartar Removal
Laser technology has revolutionized many dental treatments, and tartar removal is no exception. Laser dentistry allows dentists to precisely target and remove tartar without using traditional scraping tools. The laser works by vaporizing the tartar and bacteria, promoting faster healing in the gums as well.
- Benefits:
- Precision: Lasers target tartar without affecting surrounding tissues.
- Minimally Invasive: Laser dentistry is a more comfortable option since it often eliminates the need for scraping or poking the gums.
- Promotes Healing: The laser stimulates the gum tissue, encouraging faster healing after the procedure.
- Precision: Lasers target tartar without affecting surrounding tissues.
- How it Works:
- The dentist uses a laser to target areas with tartar buildup, especially along the gum line and beneath the gums.
- The laser removes tartar and kills bacteria, reducing the risk of gum disease.
- The process also helps seal the gums, minimizing the chance of infection.
- The dentist uses a laser to target areas with tartar buildup, especially along the gum line and beneath the gums.
Laser dentistry is particularly effective for patients with gum disease and for those who want a gentle, modern solution to tartar removal.
4. Manual Scaling: Precision in the Hands of Experts
Despite the rise of advanced technologies, manual scaling remains an essential part of tartar removal. This method involves using specialized hand tools like scalers and curettes to physically scrape away tartar from the surface of the teeth and under the gum line.
- Benefits:
- Precision: Manual scaling allows the dentist to target specific spots of buildup and clean them thoroughly.
- Time-Tested: This method has been used for decades and remains highly effective.
- Affordable: Manual tools are less costly compared to high-tech instruments like lasers or ultrasonic scalers.
- Precision: Manual scaling allows the dentist to target specific spots of buildup and clean them thoroughly.
- How it Works:
- The dentist uses a set of sharp instruments to carefully scrape tartar off the teeth.
- These tools are available in different shapes and sizes to reach different parts of the mouth, including hard-to-reach areas under the gums.
- The dentist uses a set of sharp instruments to carefully scrape tartar off the teeth.
Manual scaling is particularly useful for smaller or more localized areas of tartar buildup and can be combined with other methods for comprehensive cleaning.
5. Subgingival Scaling: Deep Cleaning for Healthy Gums
Subgingival scaling is a technique that targets tartar beneath the gumline, where it can cause inflammation and gum disease. This method involves the use of special tools to access and remove tartar from the deeper parts of the teeth and gums.
- Benefits:
- Prevents Gum Disease: By cleaning beneath the gumline, subgingival scaling helps prevent the development of periodontal (gum) disease.
- Improves Gum Health: It helps reduce inflammation and swelling in the gums, promoting healthier tissue.
- Effective for Severe Buildup: This method is ideal for patients with significant tartar buildup or gum disease.
- Prevents Gum Disease: By cleaning beneath the gumline, subgingival scaling helps prevent the development of periodontal (gum) disease.
- How it Works:
- The dentist uses specialized instruments like curettes or ultrasonic tips to remove tartar from below the gumline.
- The procedure is more thorough than regular cleaning and may require local anesthesia for comfort.
- By removing deep tartar and bacteria, subgingival scaling helps prevent further damage to the gums and teeth.
- The dentist uses specialized instruments like curettes or ultrasonic tips to remove tartar from below the gumline.
Subgingival scaling is critical for patients with advanced gum disease and those with significant tartar buildup below the gums.
6. Fluoride Treatment: Strengthening Teeth After Tartar Removal
After tartar removal, it’s common for dentists to apply fluoride treatment to help strengthen and protect the enamel. Fluoride is a mineral that helps remineralize enamel, making it more resistant to future plaque buildup and decay.
- Benefits:
- Reinforces Enamel: Fluoride helps rebuild weakened enamel, making it more resistant to cavities and plaque.
- Reduces Sensitivity: It can alleviate tooth sensitivity that may result from tartar removal.
- Prevents Future Plaque Build-up: Fluoride creates a protective barrier on the teeth, helping prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar.
- Reinforces Enamel: Fluoride helps rebuild weakened enamel, making it more resistant to cavities and plaque.
- How it Works:
- After cleaning and tartar removal, the dentist applies a fluoride gel or varnish to the surface of the teeth.
- The fluoride is left on for a few minutes to be absorbed by the enamel, helping it strengthen.
- After cleaning and tartar removal, the dentist applies a fluoride gel or varnish to the surface of the teeth.
Fluoride treatment is an important final step that ensures long-lasting results after tartar removal, helping maintain the health of your teeth.
7. Professional Polishing: A Smooth Finish
After the tartar has been removed, professional polishing is often used to smooth the surface of the teeth. Polishing removes any remaining plaque, stains, or debris left behind after scaling and tartar removal, leaving teeth feeling fresh and smooth.
- Benefits:
- Smooths Tooth Surfaces: Polishing eliminates rough spots on teeth, making them less likely to attract plaque and tartar.
- Enhances Aesthetic Appeal: Polishing also helps remove stains, leaving teeth looking cleaner and shinier.
- Promotes Healthier Teeth: A smooth surface prevents bacteria and plaque from accumulating on rough spots.
- Smooths Tooth Surfaces: Polishing eliminates rough spots on teeth, making them less likely to attract plaque and tartar.
- How it Works:
- A polishing paste is applied to the teeth using a rotating rubber cup or brush.
- The paste is gently buffed against the surface of the teeth to remove any remaining buildup and leave the teeth smooth.
- A polishing paste is applied to the teeth using a rotating rubber cup or brush.
This step ensures that the teeth are not only clean but also have a shiny finish that helps prevent future tartar buildup.
8. Regular Maintenance and Checkups: Prevention is Key
Preventing tartar buildup before it becomes a significant problem is the best way to maintain oral health. Regular dental checkups every six months are essential for catching plaque before it turns into tartar and for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
- Benefits:
- Prevents Excessive Tartar: Routine cleanings ensure that tartar doesn’t build up to problematic levels.
- Identifies Issues Early: Regular visits allow dentists to detect any early signs of gum disease, cavities, or other oral health problems.
- Promotes Long-Term Oral Health: Keeping up with routine visits ensures better overall oral hygiene and helps prevent the need for extensive tartar removal.
- Prevents Excessive Tartar: Routine cleanings ensure that tartar doesn’t build up to problematic levels.
- How it Works:
- During regular checkups, the dentist will assess your oral health and perform a cleaning to remove any plaque and tartar.
- They will also check for any issues that may require attention, such as cavities, gum disease, or tooth sensitivity.
- During regular checkups, the dentist will assess your oral health and perform a cleaning to remove any plaque and tartar.
Meta description:
Tartar buildup on teeth can lead to various dental issues like gum disease, cavities, and bad breath if not properly managed. While brushing and flossing help prevent plaque buildup, tartar requires professional intervention. Dentists use a variety of tools and techniques to effectively remove tartar, and by applying advanced methods, they can enhance the cleaning process for better results.
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