Professional Cleaning · Makati
Ultrasonic and hand scaling to remove calculus and plaque deposits, followed by polishing. Performed after a clinical examination confirms that routine prophylaxis — rather than deeper periodontal treatment — is appropriate for the current state of the gums.
Book an AppointmentAt a glance
Professional dental cleaning — formally called prophylaxis — removes calculus (hardened mineral deposits) and plaque from above and just below the gumline. These deposits cannot be removed by brushing or flossing once they have mineralised, and their presence drives gum inflammation, bleeding, and eventual bone loss if left unaddressed.
At DevelopDent, cleaning is always performed after a clinical examination has confirmed it is the appropriate level of care. This matters because routine prophylaxis and periodontal deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) are different procedures with different indications. A patient with established periodontal disease is not well served by a surface-level clean, and the examination establishes which is needed before any cleaning begins.
The treating dentist performs the cleaning directly — using ultrasonic instrumentation for bulk deposit removal and hand scalers for detailed work around each tooth and just below the gumline. Polishing follows to smooth enamel surfaces, reducing future plaque adhesion.
These two procedures are frequently confused. They serve different clinical purposes and are not interchangeable.
| Feature | Professional Cleaning (Prophylaxis) | Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing) |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical indication | Healthy or lightly inflamed gums; patients on maintenance after completed periodontal treatment | Active periodontal disease; pocket depths ≥4mm with bleeding and bone level changes |
| Treatment area | Above the gumline and slightly below (sulcular cleaning) | Below the gumline into periodontal pockets; root surfaces are planed |
| Anaesthesia | Rarely needed | Typically required — treatment is performed in quadrants with local anaesthesia |
| Appointment structure | Single visit | Two to four visits covering one or two quadrants per session |
| Follow-up | Maintenance cleaning at next scheduled interval | Reassessment of pocket depths 4–6 weeks after completion; structured maintenance programme |
Before cleaning begins, the treating dentist records probing depths around each tooth — measuring the depth of the sulcus between tooth and gum. This takes only a few minutes and confirms that routine prophylaxis is appropriate. It also provides a baseline record for comparison at future visits.
A piezoelectric or magnetostrictive scaler uses high-frequency vibrations and a water spray to break down and flush away calculus deposits from tooth surfaces and just below the gumline. Effective for the bulk of deposit removal, and more comfortable than hand scaling alone for patients with sensitive teeth and healthy gums.
Curettes and scalers are used to refine the surfaces around the gumline, between teeth, and in any areas where the ultrasonic tip cannot reach with precision. Hand scaling produces a smoother root surface and allows the treating dentist to assess each surface by tactile feel as well as visually.
A prophy cup with a mild polishing paste smooths enamel surfaces, removing adherent staining and creating a cleaner surface that resists new plaque buildup slightly more effectively than an unpolished surface. Air polishing may be used for areas of heavier surface stain. Polishing does not whiten teeth — it removes surface deposits only.
For patients with elevated caries risk — those with a history of frequent decay, exposed root surfaces, or areas of early demineralisation — fluoride varnish may be applied at the end of the cleaning appointment. This is assessed case by case, not applied routinely to every patient.
At the end of the appointment, the treating dentist reviews brushing and interdental cleaning technique where relevant — identifying specific areas where deposit accumulates and suggesting practical adjustments. This is not a lecture — it is a targeted conversation based on what was found during the cleaning.
How long does a professional dental cleaning take?
A routine prophylaxis at DevelopDent typically takes 45 to 60 minutes, including the periodontal assessment at the start. Appointments for patients with heavier calculus accumulation or more complex gum margins take longer. The appointment is not artificially shortened.
Will the cleaning be done at the same time as my check-up?
For most returning patients on a maintenance schedule, yes — the examination and a routine clean are completed in the same appointment. For new patients, the clinical examination comes first; the cleaning follows once the appropriate type has been confirmed. If deep cleaning or periodontal treatment is indicated rather than a routine prophylaxis, that is usually scheduled as a separate appointment.
Is professional cleaning painful?
For most patients with healthy gums, routine prophylaxis involves mild pressure and some vibration from the ultrasonic scaler — not pain. Patients with gum inflammation, sensitivity, or exposed root surfaces may find certain areas more sensitive. The treating dentist will adjust technique or use topical anaesthesia where needed. If discomfort is significant during the cleaning, it is often a sign that deeper periodontal treatment is indicated rather than continuing with surface prophylaxis.
How often do I need a professional cleaning?
This depends on your clinical risk profile. Patients with healthy gums and stable deposits are typically seen for cleaning every six to twelve months. Patients who have completed periodontal treatment are placed on a maintenance schedule every three to four months. The treating dentist will advise the appropriate interval based on the examination findings.
Can cleaning make teeth whiter?
Cleaning removes surface staining from coffee, tea, and tobacco — so teeth may look cleaner and brighter after prophylaxis. However, cleaning does not change the intrinsic shade of the tooth. For a lighter shade, teeth whitening is the appropriate procedure. The treating dentist can advise whether both are relevant in your case.
How much does professional dental cleaning cost in Makati?
Pricing depends on the complexity of the case and the time required. Patients with minimal calculus have different needs from those with heavy supragingival deposits across the full arch. Fee information is provided at consultation.
Professional cleaning at DevelopDent is priced from ₱1,500 per visit. The final figure depends on the level of calculus and gum involvement found at examination — mild buildup sits at ₱1,500–2,000; moderate buildup with light inflammation at ₱2,500–3,000; heavy buildup with gum involvement at ₱3,500–4,500.
Cleanings at DevelopDent are tiered to the actual condition of your teeth and gums, not priced as a flat service. The treating dentist confirms the appropriate tier — and the corresponding fee — at examination, before any instrumentation begins. If your case calls for deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) instead of routine prophylaxis, that is a different procedure and is priced and scheduled separately.
DevelopDent is located on the ground floor of Legaspi Tower 200 on Paseo de Roxas — a short walk from Greenbelt and accessible from across Makati CBD, Salcedo Village, and BGC.
Directions and getting here →1st Floor, Legaspi Tower 200
107 Paseo de Roxas Street
Legazpi Village, Makati, 1229
Legazpi Village · near Greenbelt
Ayala Triangle · Salcedo Village
Cleaning at DevelopDent begins with a check-up that confirms the right type of care for your current clinical picture. Book an appointment to start with a thorough examination — the cleaning is scheduled from there.
