A full mouth debridement is utilized when a patient presents with extensive “build-up” on their teeth, making it difficult for the dentist to determine whether the patient’s bone/gum tissue are healthy. The build up does not necessarily have to be visible, it can be below the gum tissue and yet quite extensive. The purpose of the procedure is to remove as much of the build-up as possible, to allow us to properly evaluate the supporting structures of your teeth. A “fine scale” appointment or root planing and scaling procedure is usually scheduled after debridement to accomplish final cleaning of the teeth. Debridements are common with patients that have not seen a dentist in quite awhile.