Professional dental cleaning: How often is it necessary?

Introduction

Even in patients who make the greatest effort and invest a lot of time every day in properly executed oral hygiene, food residues and plaque deposits can remain on the tooth surface. This problem is especially prevalent in hard-to-reach areas where the bristles of the toothbrush cannot reach or can only reach insufficiently. Even with the regular use of dental floss and interdental brushes (interdental space brushes) not all plaque can always be completely removed.

How often should one go to the PZR?

In general, professional teeth cleaning should be done once or twice a year. For patients with very good oral hygiene and little tartar formation, it is sufficient to go to the PZR once a year. However, tartar should then be removed again six months later at the normal check-up appointment.

The situation is different for patients who suffer from previous diseases. If the periodontium is or was damaged, three to four PZRs per year are often appropriate to keep the tooth and the periodontium healthy and to prevent the disease from progressing. Also patients who are manually restricted in their oral hygiene, the dentist will prescribe more than two PZRs per year.

How often should you go to PZR if you have a dental implant?

As a matter of principle, thorough oral hygiene should be observed with an implant to avoid inflammation in this area. If the patient cleans the entire oral cavity thoroughly and places particular emphasis on the care of his implant, one or two professional tooth cleanings per year are completely sufficient. Patients are often afraid of scratches on the implant due to the treatment. This fear is unfounded, as the instruments used are specially made for use on implants, so they do not cause any damage.

How often do health insurance companies pay the PZR?

Professional dental cleaning is not a service provided by the health insurance company, but a private service.

  • Private health insurance companies fully reimburse the costs of treatment. Two to four professional dental cleanings per year are easily paid by them.

    If more frequent treatments are necessary, you should inquire about the reimbursement before starting. A medical justification for the increased number of treatments can be certified by the dentist.

  • Statutory health insurance companies reimburse the costs, depending on the insurance company, either partially or, for example, once a year in full. Sometimes certain conditions must be met. It is best to contact the health insurance company directly.