Dental CleaningDental Cleaning

12 Step Program…..12 Step Program…..

Why 12?Why 12?

Dental cleaning must be performed in a Dental cleaning must be performed in a certain manner.certain manner.

All 12 steps are important and interlinkedAll 12 steps are important and interlinkedWhen one step is not performed, long term When one step is not performed, long term

benefits suffer.benefits suffer.

Step 1Step 1

Oral exam on the animal while awakeOral exam on the animal while awakeCheck for swellings and painful areasCheck for swellings and painful areas Is there swelling of the eyes?Is there swelling of the eyes? Is there pain in the mouth?Is there pain in the mouth?Examine each tooth individuallyExamine each tooth individually

Step 2Step 2

Oral exam while under anesthesiaOral exam while under anesthesia Individual tooth exam for mobility, fractures, Individual tooth exam for mobility, fractures,

malocclusion, and periodontal diseasemalocclusion, and periodontal disease

Severe bone loss, rear root mandibular 1st molar tooth due to periodontal disease

Step 3Step 3

Supragingival (above the gumline) plaque Supragingival (above the gumline) plaque and tartar removal and tartar removal Use forceps, hand instruments, and power Use forceps, hand instruments, and power

scaling equipmentscaling equipmentUltrasonic scaler removes plaque and tartar Ultrasonic scaler removes plaque and tartar

from the teethfrom the teethOnly use on crowns and exposed root surfacesOnly use on crowns and exposed root surfaces

Ultrasonic Cleaning

Step 4Step 4Subgingival scaling, root planing, Subgingival scaling, root planing,

curettagecurettageRoot scaling: removal of plaque and calculus Root scaling: removal of plaque and calculus

from the root surfacefrom the root surfaceRoot planing: Smoothing of roughened root Root planing: Smoothing of roughened root

surfaces by removing embedded calculussurfaces by removing embedded calculusCurettage: removal of the gingival pocket’s Curettage: removal of the gingival pocket’s

diseased soft tissue inner surfacediseased soft tissue inner surface

Step 5Step 5

PolishingPolishingSmoothes out the defects and removes Smoothes out the defects and removes

plaque missed during previous stepsplaque missed during previous stepsPumice or polishing paste is used Pumice or polishing paste is used

Step 6Step 6

IrrigationIrrigationDiseased tissue and plaque are removed from Diseased tissue and plaque are removed from

the pocket (or sulcus)the pocket (or sulcus)Water spray is commonly usedWater spray is commonly used

Step 7Step 7

FluorideFluoridePlaced on dry teeth and allowed to remain Placed on dry teeth and allowed to remain

undisturbed for at least four minutesundisturbed for at least four minutes

Step 8Step 8

Post cleaning examination and diagnosticsPost cleaning examination and diagnostics Individual teeth are examined again to see if Individual teeth are examined again to see if

anything was missed or more problems were anything was missed or more problems were discovereddiscovered

Step 9Step 9

ChartingChartingRecord missing, loose, fractured, and Record missing, loose, fractured, and

discolored teeth as well as gingival recession discolored teeth as well as gingival recession and other thingsand other things

Step 10Step 10

Therapy Therapy Treat lesions if necessaryTreat lesions if necessary

RecordsRecordsMust include:Must include:

Dental care performedDental care performedFollow up recommendationsFollow up recommendationsAntibiotics dispensedAntibiotics dispensedNext radiographs and exam needed infoNext radiographs and exam needed infoHome care instructionsHome care instructions

Step 11Step 11

Home care instructionsHome care instructionsHome care is the single most important Home care is the single most important

procedure the owner can do to maintain oral procedure the owner can do to maintain oral healthhealth

Includes toothbrusing!!Includes toothbrusing!!

Step 12Step 12

Follow-up progressFollow-up progressSometimes checked monthly (if it was a Sometimes checked monthly (if it was a

severe problem)severe problem)Usually checked yearly at examsUsually checked yearly at exams