Merits of DIY root scaling

WEB COPY - WHAT ARE THE PLUS AND MINUS OF DO IT YOURSELF DIY PERIODONTAL SCALING

COPY FROM WEB - IS DO IT YOURSELF PERIODONTAL A GOOD IDEA OR IS IT A BAD IDEA? NOTE - This is most of the information could find on the subject on the entire web.
google - do-it-yourself-dentistry

SUMMARY - Maybe you have periodontal disease and your dog or cat does too? Then perhaps it it practical to practice on them. They will thank you for it and you will too. Help them get great teeth and work on your technique. Then when you get enough confidence then you can practice on yourself.

ALSO - Can buy books on eBay and Half.com - And learn the basic theories and procedures - Can also check out - Where There is No Dentist - on the web -

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CHAT between people w severe periodontal disease and losing teeth - For Those w Periodontal Disease - w horror story after horror story - here - here - but think about it. What these stories really are are tragedies of people losing their teeth. And spending thousands of dollars and many hours to typically result in dentures and implants. Their crime? They didn't floss enough. So the dental profession is pretty quick to send people out on a sled that leaves them without their teeth. So why not consider DIY? Which is hard, scary, dangerous and difficult. Plus takes lots of hours and focus etc. Plus hand dexterity. And even then if things get dicey, like real deep, then the world becomes so topsy-turvy it is already very hard to figure out what is what, much less what to do. But even so guiding principles can keep people on target, like a balloon that flies a little bit up rather than a little bit down. Or the water cutting the stone etc. Which means that diligence wins out over smarts.

NOTE - IT SEEMS THAT AT LEAST A FEW DENTISTS AND PERIODONTISTS HERE AND THERE ARE PRETTY QUICK TO RECOMMEND EXTRACTION AND IMPLANTS -- OUI?

NOTE ON ME - Six years ago a consulting periodontist recommended I get my four upper molars pulled and replaced with implants. The molars are still there and tight as ever. Though still hopeless. Per "Two Minutes to Midnight" logic. To drag out the endgame of the tooth for as long al possible as long as the tooth is still living and tight even though the apparent reality is that more bone will be lost. Meaning maybe pulling the tooth really is better? Do you truly trust and believe your dentist? But then selfishly deciding to keep the tooth anyway. Saying " Tough - I am going to keep the tooth" - Then winning the game. And beating the disease. "Nobody Gets out of Here Alive"

NOTE - BEWARE OF ARGUMENT - If you don't get your teeth pulled you will lose more bone. There is some reality here. Especially if deep layers of infection are not being addressed. But also keep in mind your dentist might just be trying to drum up some business out of your mouth.

BEWARE OF ARGUMENT - Once you get a tooth pulled you will lose more bone and the teeth will drift - REALITY - Average of only 1mm in 7 years - not very fast? N'est pas? Maybe not even much at all, eh? Then was it really worth it? To give up your tooth to make your dentist some money and to prevent an imaginary reality that wasn't going to happen anyway? Maybe you should have just kept the tooth and not been so keen to let it get pulled, eh?

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WEB - Home Dental Care & Safety

ASKER - Is it safe to debride/ scale my own teeth at home? I recently purchased a home kit for the scaling of teeth but wonder if it's safe and healthy to do this procedure myself. Is it possible that I may just make the problem worse?

RESPONSE #1 - Debriding and scaling is a very precise and difficult procedure for even a dentist or dental hygienist. Visibility and a very fine sense of tactile feeling is important to know if any tartar is below the gums. Also you would run the risks of tearing and damaging your gums with home unsterilized instruments. Dentists and hygienists will not attempt to do this to there own teeth so why should you. Leave the job to a professional and don't waste your money on the kit.
A dentist

ASKER - That's sort of what I was thinking too. Thanks!

RESPONSE #2 - The worst thing you can do is poke yourself.

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Question - Dent22 - Is it possible? -- I've managed to do small stitching on my face (no scar btw) and was wondering if I can do some root planing on myself. I've got some deep pockets and after visiting the periodontist I think my hands are better. He's got quite a tremor. -- Dave

Reply #1 - SuzyQuzy -- I would advise that you not attempt do - it - yourself Root planning. I"m a dental assistant.....trust me, leave it for the professionals.

Reply #2 - pete -- I agree with SuzyQuzy -- I am not sure if anybody who is not a professional can do it correctly.
It takes years of practice to gain expertise. So i strongly recommend not to try it.... -- Kind Regards -- Pete DDS

Reply #3 - Guru -- Not the greatest of plans! If you don't have any trust in your dentist then start looking for someone else. I don't know anything about dental procedures, other than what my own dentist tells me, but common sense applies here... not advisable!

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Source Yahoo Answers

ASKER - Best way to sanitize dental tools?
I have a couple periodontal curettes and scalers that I purchased to clean the tartar off of my own teeth (tried it for the first time tonight, and fyi it is not easy and requires lots of light and time, but well worth it if you're a DIY kind of person. Just at least get EXAMS occasionally). What is the best home method for sterilizing these tools? Isopropyl Alcohol unfortunately does not work well against viruses, so I would prefer an alternative. One more thing worth noting is that directly on the package of these tools, it states to use "non-phenolic" solutions in sterilizing. I'm not entirely sure what this means but I understand alcohol is non-phenolic.

NOTE - Yes kristen i'm fully aware of how to scale teeth. I didn't just grab a curette and start scraping, i researched this well using resources online; textbooks in e-book form. It really isn't difficult. Since your a dental hygienist why don't you tell me what you would use to sanitize the equipment?

NOTE - Alright this is really pathetic. Don't answer with how much you think this is a bad idea. You have no clue how NOT dangerous this is. It's a simple, well documented method. Tooth cleaning isn't rocket surgery (lol). I perform bi-monthly cleanings on my german shepherd. And bleach is NOT a suitable sanitizer here, stupid.

NOTE - Well i won't be sharing my tools, so this works. I just wish others would answer the damned question instead of complaining that I can just as easily do what they spent thousands of dollars and several years "learning" how to do..

RESPONSE #1 - Gerald V - And I was going to say isopropyl alcohol...

RESPONSE #3 - Kristen - you shouldn't be using these tools. As a trained hygienist cleaning teeth is extremly challenging and patients tend to think we stick the instrument on the tooth and scape but that is so wrong! I thought that before hygiene and boy was i in for a surprise! One did you go up underneath your gums? the instruments needs to be inserted at an EXACT angle to do this without pain or harm and this is where tarter is. Your most likely removing the plaque not tarter which causes infections and can lead to periodontal disease. Also if someone untrained removes tarter it will most likely cause it to be burnished and that kind of tarter is the tarter i wish i had a jack hammer for.

RESPONSE #4 - ACE - Use bleach be sure to rinse the bleach off before you use them. hope you dont damage your enamal. Scaling your onw teeth is a bad idea. You can do lots of damage to your teeth. Dentistry is not a diy kind of project. It may be cheaper in the long run to go see a professional for some things. Dentists have to go to school to learn how to use the kind of tools that you say that you are gonna try to use at home and if you dont even know how to keep them clean i dont think that you know how to use them without causing damage to your teeth. You sound like the kind of guy that would try self surgery just to save money. -- There is an old saying that someone that defends himself has a fool for a client. same thing goes for being your own doctor. or in your case being your own dentist. just to try to save a few bucks.

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WEB -

COMMENT - I hope you've cured your infection...but I highly doubt it. (very close). :)
And there's a reason people go to school to learn how to, among other things, scale teeth (to earn a living). :D If any Joe Schmo off the street could effectively scale his own teeth, we wouldn't need the trained, licensed professionals. (we will always have trained professionals for the masses who can't do a thing for themselves. Most cannot; Some can scale their own teeth such as moi . I cannot do root planing myself). You run the risk of doing irreparable damage to your teeth (TOOTH) by doing it to yourself, but since you seem to know more than the professionals... "Professionals" have an interesting way of allowing patients to think, "hmmm..without this guy I'm as good as Dead." :o Then, tragically, the Pro's sometimes make the patients either die or wish they could :yawn:

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WEB -

ASKER - Can't afford to go to a Dentist. Has anyone scaled their own teeth ? You can buy the instrument at Target.

edna b -- first i have to say.. ewww.... -- second.. check the web for local dental schools. you can get work done by students for peanuts.

kristyle... -- No you don't want to try to do this yourself. It can cause further damage to your teeth. You can try to contact a dental school or a hygiene school in your area. They can do it at little to no cost cause they have to learn and they will be under supervision from the teachers...Good luck -- note- I'm a dental assistant

Humble Proclaimer -- What procedure did your dentist recommend? If you need Scaling and Root Planing there is absolutely NO way for you to do it yourself. You won't be able to see all of the calculus and without anesthetic you won't be able to go deep enough under your gum tissue. Ask your dentist if he has a payment plan or if you can make monthly payments to the him/her... usually they are very willing to accommodate their patients. -- note- husband is a dentist

Rusty -- If you follow through on your stupid idea, you'll be spending a lot more money on your teeth.

HeatherS -- First of all, if you're not a hygienist then what makes you think you know how to scale teeth? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to look through a mirror and work with your hands in reverse with a "very sharp instrument" going around and under your own very tender (and easily damaged) tissue? Save your self a lot of pain and possible injury and let the professionals do it for you. Tell them you can't afford a pano and x rays and see about a payment plan, but let them clean your teeth. I've been in dentistry for a whole lot of years and I don't do my own teeth, and neither does my dentist. Does that tell you anything? Are you sure you still want to try? Hope I've changed your mind about this. Good luck.
note- work in the dental field and scaled millions of teeth, but not my own!

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WEB -

ASKER - At-home teeth scaling? ... I would like to get rid of plaque and tartar build up around my gum lines in between dentist visits. I have seen some tooth scaling and pick tools at the store and I'm wondering if they are worth trying or if I should just get my dentist to do it. The instructions on the box are lacking and I haven't been able to find much information on doing it yourself. Can you go below the gum line with these at home tools? -- Thanks!

Response #1 - Dr. Albert DDS -- HELLO -- ever hear the Latin phrase, CAVEAT EMPTOR? -- It means "let the buyer beware."
Tools used by the dentist/hygienist are much sharper and they have the knowledge of their use. -- The best way to keep tartar/plaque from forming is by flossing daily, especially after a dentist's cleaning. -- Let the pros do the scaling

Response #2 - richard t -- It sounds like something Hannibal would do....Go to the Dentist.............at home floss,,,,brush,,rinse with listermint(before brushing)..........

ASKERS RESPONSE - Thanks guys!... When in doubt, leave it to a professional. Guess I'll have to since I haven't been able to get any thorough, first-hand knowledge on this. Seems it happens more and more in our society, everything is so specialized now. Not always a bad thing, but seems "do-it-yourself" is a bad word no.

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WEB -

Do not use scaler below gum line by yourself, only your dentist can clean those areas using a scaler without causing injuries and if you clean those areas yourself, then you will be suffering from injuries which will be caused as a result of the sharp edges of scalers coming in contact with gums.

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WEB -

Olivia | Peridontal Diseases says: Though Dental Scalers are available in retail stores these days, it’s always better to go to your dentist to clean the tartar in your teeth. I bought a dental scaler recently to clean up all the hard tartar on my tooth, but accidently my gums got hurt by the sharp edges of it. My gums were bleeding continuously and I really had a tough time to recover from that wound. I think only a certified dental professional can handle this instrument perfectly without causing any damage to the gums.

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WEB -

ASKER - What can I buy to take tartar off teeth?

RESPONSE #2 - Steve B DDS -- This is not a do-it-yourself job. I wouldn't do it on myself (and that's with the RIGHT instruments), and I've been scaling others' teeth for 33 years!
The chances of slipping and injuring yourself are too great. Get to the dentist when you can.

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WEB -

ASKER - Dental Professionals: What is the proper way to use a scaler? - I have one and want to scale my teeth, but I do not really know how to use one. Are you supposed to lay the scaler flat on the surface of the tooth or are you supposed to use the tip of the point? How do you remove tartar? Please provide me with a detailed explanation. Thanks. -- note- I bought one from a drugstore. COMPLETELY sterile.

RESPONSE - TB -- Yes, please, please, don't try this yourself. If you bought it at the store it isn't really even a real scaler like the dental professionals use. If you slip, or place it at the wrong angle, you can do more damage than good, and you can really rip up your gums. Plus, if you do have tarter, you are not going to be able to get the right angle to do it yourself, let someone else do it safely and properly and sterile.

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January 2005 - DIY-GUEST

I finally looked at the scaler I occasionally use: Hu Friedy SC 13/14 - lasted me a while.

I'd like to get some more scalers and some curettes. Where and what do you recommend? eBay? Want some fairly good stuff. And some sharpeners too. Arkansas stone, rectangles or actual cone sticks?

What do you recommend for a beginner? I'm pretty good with tools but I like to touch up now and then, a bit of tartar that I feel on my teeth or at the gum line. I am not a dental person although I once taught dental hygienists. But not how to clean teeth.

It's okay. I know my stuff somewhat. Injected chlorhexidine into a pocket and shrunk it and have not hurt myself with the needle but it was blunted so unlikely. Much better than the crude dull plastic thingees they throw at clients nowadays.

And I'm pretty good with handtools. Used the dental stuff originally for electronic assembly boards. But need new stuff. Hate to use dental tools loaded up with lead from the old-fashioned lead solder

Any thoughts? I rarely get a hygienist or dentist like the ones from the old days. My old dentist used to love the curette. Now it's usually fast and sloppy with the Calcitron (TM) zip zip zip and I can feel the tartar or calculus still on my teeth. It's hard to find a good one now willing to take the time. Maybe I should offer to pay three times as much??? I need to start saving up. I found a dental professor who loved to clean teeth but seemed to ignore everything else. Oh well, that's a start.

RESPONSE - STEVE DDS

OK, a couple of thoughts.

1) Don't curet your own teeth. I'm not good enough to do it, and not to be harsh, but it's doubtful you are.
2) A McCall 13s/14s is an excellent all-around curette.
3) Don't, don't, don't inject chlorhexidene into your gums. Unless you're from the Tom Hanks "Castaway" school of dentistry.

DIY-GUEST

Thanks. Just a little curettage, not anything else, a tad, maybe a Columbia 13/14 or a McCall 13/14? Columbia 4L/4R?

The curette you mentioned is an exception. Is that not the only curette with a sharp point? Trying to make your point that curettes are a no-no (smiley here).

McCalls 13S/14S - Universal Curette - Nautical Blue. A curette exception. Has a pointed tip with a rounded back. Very good interproximally.

That's from PDTdental.com which has a colorful Mountain Jack Sickle and an H5/L5 Scaler/Curette. Liked their colors.

I think you misunderstood. It's not injecting. Nothing breaking the skin. It's a squirting with a blunt needle so that the chlorhexidine washes out the pocket. Just a glorified mouth wash, a tad, with some direction.

But thanks for your concern and answering my question.

STEVE DDS

No. Periodontists may use a whole lot of different curettes, but I use primarily McCalls 13/14. I think Gracie curettes also have pointed tips, and an extra bend in the blade. I also use Jaquette scalers, which probably have less potential for damage.

The problem is not only the potential for slipping (though that's there, for sure). It is difficult to do scaling well, even with direct vision. If you ever get the chance to examine some extracted teeth and note the contours and concavities of the roots of many teeth, you'll see what I mean.

Another risk is that with some of these small curettes, it is quite easy to get the blade caught between the lower incisors. It is possible to dislodge it by careful turning and direct vision, but probably difficult to do in a mirror--with potential for tooth breakage. Folks are going to do what they like anyway, but be careful!

And just in case, have a fist sized rock and ice skate handy. The doctor that treats himself has a fool for a patient.

DIY-GUEST

Benjamin Franklin who did many firsts, like find electricity before waiting for a union electrician to come around said, and you might consider this the calculus for your instrumentation, it's better to keep quiet and have people think you are a fool than to open your mouth and have people know you are a fool.

Don't fret about me. I'm not a doctor. And a fool can, paradoxically, be a path to wisdom.

Chalk it up to Pareto optimality

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SILLY IDEA - PRACTICE ON YOUR DOG! IT'S LEGAL! THEN IF FIDO IS HAPPY WITH YOUR HANDIWORK TRY IT ON YOURSELF

WEB - Scrape Down Gum Line - Use a scaling too to scrape down from your dog’s gum line toward the bottom of the tooth. Move the tool downward to prevent injury. When scraping the teeth, do it in small sessions that don’t last for more than a minute of two, and reward your dog with a crunchy biscuit or a bone afterwards

GENERAL RESPONSE - I would absolutely not scale your dog's teeth on your own. The reason is that scaling creates grooves in the teeth and if you don't polish the teeth smooth, bacteria can buildup in those grooves and cause more problems. Unless you have a polisher and your dog allows you to do that without sedation, then go for it. Personally I would leave the scaling and polishing to a professional.

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