Tooth polishing is a dental procedure, which is used for the prevention of teeth problems. It also makes teeth appear whiter, stain-free, and glistening. This procedure improves dental health and aesthetics of the teeth.
Objectives of Tooth Polishing
Earlier, tooth polishing was routinely done as a part of dental prophylaxis.
Advantages of Tooth Polishing
Tooth polishing is a procedure which not only polishes the teeth but also removes the dental stains, plaque, and microorganisms formed on the outer surface of the teeth.
The main advantage of tooth polishing over the tooth scaling (deep cleaning of the teeth) is that it is a painless procedure. Also, patients experience clean and smooth teeth instantaneously after the procedure.
Types of Tooth Polishing
- Therapeutic polishing –
Many a times during a dental surgical procedure, the cementum covering the root is exposed. Therapeutic polishing assists in the removal of any microflora and endotoxins from the surface of cementum. - Coronal / cosmetic polishing –
This type of polishing removes the plaque and superficial dental stains. Superfine abrasive agents are used to make the enamel (outer layer covering the crown of the tooth) lustrous. Enamel surface is polished to an extent that it can even reflect the visible light. - Superficial polishing –
This technique polishes the crown of the tooth. However, this technique has nominal curative benefits, and is primarily done to improve the aesthetic appearance of the teeth. - Selective polishing –
Selective polishing is also termed as extrinsic stain removal or selective stain removal. This polishing technique is recommended post scaling procedure, and it removes any remaining stains.
