What is tartar?
Tartar forms on the surface of the teeth and is a hard, mineralized biofilm attached to the tooth. It is made up of mineralized dental plaque. If tartar is not cleaned, it inflames the gums and leads to gingivitis, which over time can progress to periodontitis (periodontal disease). Tartar cleaning is an important element for both prevention and overall dental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does tartar accumulate?
The most common places where tartar forms are the inner surface of the lower front teeth and the outer surface of the upper first molars. This is due to the presence of salivary gland ducts. If left uncleaned for a long time, it can accumulate on all surfaces of the teeth. Other important factors for tartar accumulation are displaced and rotated teeth, which increase the likelihood of buildup in these areas.
How often should tartar be cleaned?
It is generally accepted that tartar should be cleaned every 6 months, but practice shows that this period can be too long for some and too short for others. Therefore, the team at dental clinic Donident determines an individual period for each patient based on their specific needs.
How is tartar cleaned?
At dental clinic Donident, we use high-quality ultrasound, which, through the oscillation of an ultrasonic frequency, breaks up and removes the structure of the tartar. Afterward, an air flow system is used to polish the surface of each cleaned tooth with high pressure and special soda. The procedure is painless. If appointments are followed, patients even find it pleasant, leaving with a nice feeling of clean and whitened teeth.
How long does it take to clean?
The time needed for thorough cleaning is also individual and depends on the amount of tartar that has accumulated. For a healthy patient, it is faster, while for a patient with existing gingivitis and/or periodontitis, it takes longer, sometimes more than one visit to resolve the issue.
