A deep cleaning at the dentist typically takes between one to two hours per appointment. Often, the cleaning is done in sections, such as one quadrant or half of the mouth per visit, depending on the severity of gum disease and the amount of plaque and tartar buildup. Some patients may require multiple appointments to complete the entire deep cleaning.
What Happens During a Deep Cleaning?
A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, involves removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, especially in periodontal pockets caused by gum disease. The process includes numbing the area with local anesthesia, scraping away tartar with specialized instruments, smoothing the root surfaces, and sometimes applying antibiotics. This procedure helps gums reattach to teeth and prevents further gum disease progression.
Time Factors
- The extent of plaque, tartar, and gum disease severity affects cleaning duration.
- Dentists usually clean one quadrant or half the mouth per appointment to ensure a thorough job.
- Each quadrant or half can take about 45 minutes to 90 minutes or up to 2 hours in total for more extensive cases.
- Patients with heavier buildup or advanced gum disease may need longer or multiple visits.
Summary
A deep dental cleaning generally lasts about 1 to 2 hours per session, spread over at least two visits for a full-mouth cleaning, with individual appointment times influenced by the condition of the teeth and gums.
