I went to a new dentist today for a cleaning and exam. The hygienist
polished my teeth, but didn’t do any scraping at all. Is that common?
My cleanings have always included interminable scraping.
I suggest you call the dentist’s office and ask why yours did not. Obviously, you can’t go back unless it’s explained.
My dentist has a new laser gizmo that replaces (most of) the scraping and picking. Did they possibly use that?
mmm
Sure it’s laser and not ultrasound? I’m not a dentist so for all I know there might be both types of gizmos in use, but my dentist definitely said she’s using ultrasound. She did do the usual manual scraping and picking afterwards to finish the job though.
Some dentists offer a really cheap cleaning to new patients and even x rays for 30 dollars or so compared to 70-200 dollars.
The simple cleaning is a means to build up a customer base or fill slots in schedule.
Unless you just had a reg cleaning and brush and floss regularly and went in for a simple cleaning for extra care- get a reg cleaning
It was obviously a “simple cleaning.” No ultrasound or laser. Just the polishing, which was always the last step in other cleanings I’ve had. The hygienist (if that’s what she was!) said it was because my teeth didn’t have any calculus or plaque. It’s been ten months since my last cleaning, so that seems unlikely. It was my first dental visit with new insurance, and the visit didn’t cost me anything. You get what you pay for. :o
Nope, not sure at all. 
mmm
Do you use a sonic toothbrush? I do, and at my last dental cleaning, they told me that I had no plaque. I seem to remember some scraping, though, although it was pretty painless as far as dental visits go. They also found a loose filling that had to be replaced, so that wasn’t pleasant.
My cleanings have gotten a lot easier and quicker since buying my Sonicare.
My plaque is minimal now and doesn’t take long to scrape off.
I’ve never had only a polishing. There’s always something to scrape.
I do my own scraping a couple of times between scheduled cleanings, and a day or two before my appointment. The hygienist doesn’t have much to do except poke around a bit, polish, and hand me a new toothbrush. I use Crest and Sonicare.
Did the dentist also take a look around? Mine always seems to check if just a minute.
I don’t use a Sonic toothbrush. And in the past, I’ve always had a lot to scrape off.
And oh yes – the dentist did an exam. He found a laundry list of problems he
wants to fix. :dubious: I won’t be going back there.
No doubt he found things wrong as he said and wants to do a deep cleaning or other stuff.
Dentists don’t clean if your going to do extensive other procedures.
Cleaning comes last.
I agree sometimes your teeth suffer if appts take months to arrange.
I had to go to endodontist for a root canal and no cleaning for 6 weeks to get that done.
That happened to me once. Turned out the ‘‘hygienists’’ wasn’t. Had faked a résumé .
I called my dental insurance and they confirmed that I received a “simple”
cleaning.