Published September 2026
- Plaque and hardened tartar have built up along the gum line
- An ultrasonic tip vibrates the tartar off while water spray washes it away
- Hand tools finish between the teeth
- A spinning rubber cup with paste polishes the surfaces
- Fluoride often finishes the visit
Who usually does it
hygienist. Done by the hygienist in the general office.
One question worth asking
Is this a routine cleaning or a different one, and what made that the right choice?
First-pass cleaning for heavy build-up
D4355. Removes so much build-up that the dentist can finally see the teeth to do an exam; a proper cleaning follows later.
A routine cleaning removes plaque and hardened tartar from the teeth above the gum line and polishes them. It is the cleaning you get at a normal check-up. There is a child version, a version for gums that are inflamed everywhere, and a first-pass cleaning for a mouth with heavy build-up.
The hygienist works around each tooth with a vibrating tip and water spray, then by hand between the teeth, and finishes with a polish. It cleans what sits above the gum line only. There is a shorter child version, a version for gums that are inflamed all over, and a first-pass cleaning when there is heavy build-up to get through. Most plans file this as Preventive. What they actually pay varies by plan.
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