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How long is dental prophylaxis?
3) How long does a prophy take? We generally schedule 60 minutes with a hygienist for a prophy. About 20 minutes of this time will be spent scaling and polishing the teeth.
How often should you have oral prophylaxis?
Oral prophylaxis is recommended to be done twice a year as a preventive measure, but should be performed every 3-4 months for patients with more severe periodontal disease. For patients who have braces or other orthodontic appliances, oral prophylaxis is recommended to be done more frequently.
Who can perform a dental prophylaxis?
Prophylaxis cleanings are quite similar to regular 6-month dental cleanings, and are usually performed by an oral hygienist, rather than a dentist. If you go in for a regular oral exam, and your dentist notices significant plaque or tartar buildup, a prophylaxis cleaning may be recommended.
What is the medical term for dental prophylaxis?
Prevention. Dental prophylaxis is the medical term for procedures that promote oral health. This can include anything from a dental check-up to getting sealants to protect the teeth from cavities. Learn more about the different types of prophylaxis and decide if you could benefit from one of the procedures.
How often do you need to do prophylaxis for your teeth?
This simple procedure is a major part of an oral health care regimen needed to prevent cavities, gum disease and tooth loss brought on by dental disease. Prophylaxis can prevent the need for a costly dental treatment, such as a tooth filling or gum disease treatment. And you only need to do it twice a year.
What are the pros and cons of dental prophylaxis?
One part of the professional dental prophylaxis procedure is dental flossing (which is usually performed by the dental hygienist after scaling and before polishing). Patients are strongly encouraged to floss regularly at home as well. What does the research say? Does flossing lend itself to lowering the incidence of tooth decay or gum disease?
Where does the word prophylaxis come from?
In dentistry, as with other medical professions, many of the words used to describe dental procedures stem from Greek and Latin. One such word is “prophylaxis,” which comes from the Greek word, prophylaktikós, and means “to keep guard before,” or “to prevent/protect.”…