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Dental Consultation GuideDental Health Education

What is the difference between Scaling, Filling, Cleaning?

Darshan GuptaDarshan Gupta0
dental teeth scaling

Introduction

Where oral hygiene is concerned, it is important to visit the dentist regularly. Still, most people do not know the distinctions between regular dental procedures such as scaling, filling, and cleaning. All of these are mentioned in dental clinics, but each is for a specific purpose of treating or preventing certain dental conditions.

Knowing what each procedure entails can help you better care for your teeth, be less anxious about visiting the dentist, and make good choices regarding your care. From removing plaque to addressing gum disease or filling a cavity, these procedures all work together to ensure your smile is healthy and strong.

Women before and after teeth cleaning

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between scaling, filling, and cleaning, what they are, when they’re needed, and how they contribute to your overall oral health.

When you go to see the dentist, you can expect to see words such as scaling, filling, and cleaning. Although they all contribute to good oral health, each has a different function and entails distinct procedures.

Cleaning (Dental Prophylaxis)

Regular upkeep to maintain healthy teeth and gums. What It Involves:

  1. Plaque (soft, sticky layer of bacteria) and tartar (hardened tartar) removal from teeth.
  2. Polishing the teeth to remove surface stains.
  3. Flossing and occasional fluoride treatment.
  4. When It’s Done: Usually every 6 months as part of a routine dental visit.
  5. Who Needs It: Everybody, as a preventive measure for dental care.
 

A routine “maintenance wash” for your teeth.

Scaling (Deep Cleaning)

To treat and control gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis). What It Involves:

  1. A more thorough cleaning than a routine cleaning.
  2. Plaque and tartar removal below the gum line where routine cleaning instruments can’t reach.
  3. Sometimes combined with root planing, which removes plaque and tartar to smooth the surfaces of the roots so gums can reattach to teeth.
  4. When It’s Done: When there’s evidence of gum disease (e.g., deep gum pockets, bleeding gums, bone loss).
  5. Who Needs It: Patients with moderate to severe gum disease.

Filling

Repair a tooth that is decayed (a cavity) or has small fractures. What It Involves:

  1. Drilling out the rotten part of the tooth.
  2. Cleaning the area affected.
  3. Sealing the cavity with a substance like composite resin, amalgam, or ceramic.
  4. When It’s Done: When a cavity is found or a tooth is broken, but can still be saved.
  5. Who Needs It: Anyone with cavities or minimal structural damage to a tooth.

Fixing a “pothole” in your tooth!

 

Quick Comparison Table:

ProcedurePurposeAffected AreaPreventive or Restorative?
CleaningGeneral oral hygieneAbove gum linePreventive
ScalingTreat gum diseaseBelow gum linePreventive/Therapeutic
FillingRepair decay/damageInside the toothRestorative

 

Final difference between Scaling, Filling, Cleaning?

The purpose of Cleaning is for Preventive care to remove plaque and tartar. Brushing and polishing teeth is done by your Dentist which leads to light removal of plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces. This is recommended every 6 months for people with healthy gums which is usually painless.

Where as Scaling is a treatment to remove hardened tartar (calculus) from above and below the gum line. Your Dentist may use ultrasonic scalers or hand tools to remove heavy tartar. This is to be done when there’s gum disease, bleeding gums, or deep pockets.

A “deep cleaning” — not just a surface shine but also inside the gum crevices.

Lastly Filling restores teeth damaged by cavities or fractures and this decayed part of the tooth is removed. The cavity is filled with materials like composite resin, amalgam, or ceramic. This filling is usually done with local anesthesia, so minimal pain unlike scaling and cleaning.

Final difference between Scaling, Filling, Cleaning?

The purpose of Cleaning is for Preventive care to remove plaque and tartar. Brushing and polishing teeth is done by your Dentist which leads to light removal of plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces. This is recommended every 6 months for people with healthy gums which is usually painless.

Where as Scaling is a treatment to remove hardened tartar (calculus) from above and below the gum line. Your Dentist may use ultrasonic scalers or hand tools to remove heavy tartar. This is to be done when there’s gum disease, bleeding gums, or deep pockets.

A “deep cleaning” — not just a surface shine but also inside the gum crevices.

Lastly Filling restores teeth damaged by cavities or fractures and this decayed part of the tooth is removed. The cavity is filled with materials like composite resin, amalgam, or ceramic. This filling is usually done with local anesthesia, so minimal pain unlike scaling and cleaning.

teeth scaling
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