- (281) 888-0921
- 9655 Katy Fwy Ste 160, Houston, TX 77024
Professional Teeth Cleaning for a Healthier Smile
About Le Blance, Houston, Tx
When you come in for a cleaning, your dental hygienist identifies and removes plaque—a soft film that can be removed by brushing—and tartar—a hardened plaque that requires dental instruments for removal. We make every effort to clean all surfaces of your teeth, including the tiny spaces between them and along the gum line, where bacteria gather.
We often complete the cleaning with prophy paste. Its coarse quality, which removes any remaining plaque as it dissolves into a finer texture, leaves the teeth shiny and smooth. We inform you of any areas where plaque and tartar have accumulated, so you can give them extra attention by flossing and brushing each day. Our goal is to enable you to care for your teeth easily and effectively.
Most dental insurance policies include benefits that cover teeth cleanings. After all, failing to maintain good oral hygiene will likely lead to astronomical costs down the road, and neglecting teeth cleanings often leads to serious and expensive health problems. Every patient’s budgetary situation is different, so we are happy to discuss your situation. At a consultation, we present any possible costs up front to help you navigate your insurance benefits. Our main objective is to help you have a successful oral health experience.
There are many ways you can play an active role in maintaining your oral health. Having your teeth cleaned in our office every six months is an excellent place to start. Our hygienists and dentists identify plaque and problem areas before thoroughly cleaning your teet, and provideg you with information to maintainn a happy, healthy smile.
No. Prophylaxis — a fancy word for teeth cleaning — is the only dental procedure of its kind. Prophylaxis involves a routine teeth cleaning every six months.
The procedures that are sometimes called “cleanings” are actually periodontal treatments:
Routine checkups are an essential part of proper oral hygiene. Some of the benefits of regular teeth cleanings include:
Most visits are a routine cleaning. But if the exam reveals gum disease, a standard cleaning can’t address the problem. Once plaque and tartar have slipped below the gum line and the pockets around your teeth have deepened, we switch to a deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, to clear out what’s built up under the gums and give them a chance to heal. Signs it might be time: gums that bleed easily, bad breath that won’t quit, or a long stretch since your last visit. Our deep teeth cleaning page covers how it works.
Our dental cleaning appointments are about an hour-long, and new patient visits typically last a bit longer. We take pride in getting to know each of our patients, tailoring treatments to the health needs and goals of every individual. Here’s what to expect the first time you come to our office:
Failure to keep up on proper oral hygiene can lead to:
There are several simple and affordable ways in which you can fight tooth decay — a common chronic health condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most routine cleaning and check-up visits at our Houston office run about 45 to 60 minutes from start to finish. That includes the hygiene cleaning, the doctor’s exam, and any necessary X-rays if it’s time for them. First visits or appointments that involve a deep cleaning may take a bit longer.
Le Blanc is in-network with most PPO carriers, which usually means your preventive cleaning and check-up is covered at 80 to 100 percent, depending on your plan. Call our office at (281) 888-0921 before your visit, and our team can verify your specific benefits, so you know what to expect at checkout.
For most people, every six months. If you’re prone to gum problems, we may suggest coming in more often to stay ahead of them. Your exam tells us the right schedule for you.
Digital X-rays use very little radiation, far less than the old film kind. For a routine checkup, once a year is typical, though we may take them sooner if something needs a closer look. Had X-rays recently somewhere else? Send them over, and we’ll skip repeating them.
Regular cleaning (prophylaxis) removes plaque and tartar above the gum line and is what most patients receive every 6 months. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes below the gum line to treat early-stage gum disease and is typically split across two visits. Dr. Kulic will recommend which one you need based on your exam.
You’re not the first patient to walk in after a long gap, and we won’t lecture you about it. Schedule a new-patient appointment by calling (281) 888-0921. We’ll take fresh X-rays, do a full oral exam, and build a treatment plan around where you are now, not where you should have been. Most patients are surprised at how comfortable the catch-up visit actually is.
Not usually. A routine cleaning is painless for most people. If your gums are inflamed, they might feel tender or bleed a little during the visit, and this should settle within a day or two. Tell us if you run sensitive and we’ll go gently.
At Le Blanc, we offer a range of dental and anti-aging treatments to keep your skin glowing and your smile beautiful. Contact us today!