Visiting your dentist can mean meeting new people. As soon as you enter the door, you will meet a member of the administrative staff. Then, you will talk with a dental assistant, and, depending on your condition, receive care from a dental hygienist. What exactly does a dental hygienist do? In this article, Brighton dentists explain the function of the hygiene team.
What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
Hygienists perform a multitude of duties in the dentist office. You may find a dental hygienist processing patient documentation or taking dental x-rays. You will most likely meet a hygienist when you require periodontal therapy to recover from gum disease. While hygienists remove plaque and tartar from teeth, during a regular cleaning, they also provide deep cleaning when gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease develops. During a deep cleaning, your hygienist will clean teeth down to their roots with root planing and scaling. This process removes bacteria and plaque that forms beneath the gumline in periodontal pockets. Although you will typically find hygienists performing similar tasks across the country, some states allow hygienists to fulfill certain duties usually reserved exclusively for dentists.
Meet Our Hygienists
You can find Tran and Mihara, our dental hygienists, working with Dr. Villani, or with our periodontist, Dr. Kondrat, when you need specialized periodontal care. If gum disease develops, our hygienists will create a realistic and effective treatment plan to restore gum health. With more than 20 years of combined experience, our hygienists hold degrees from the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, so you can trust their advice and skilled care. Together, our hygiene team educates patients on caring for teeth at home and provides comprehensive care in the office.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Brighton Dentists
Come by our 02135 dentist office to see what dental hygienists do first hand. Whether you need a teeth cleaning or plan on beginning a cosmetic dentistry procedure, you will experience the personalized, skilled care our team provides. Call (617) 562-5210 to make an appointment today. We proudly serve patients from Brighton, Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline, and Newton.
