Tartar Cleaning
Tartar cleaning (scale and polish) removes hardened plaque that brushing cannot lift, using an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments, then polishes.
- Ultrasonic and hand-instrument scaling
- Air polishing (AIRFLOW) available
- Recall interval set from your gum measurements
First consultation free · same-day reply · no price pressure
Written by: Dr Ferit Kaval, PhD · Medically reviewed by: Dr Hakan Kaval
Tartar cleaning (scale and polish) removes deposits formed when plaque hardens with calcium phosphate salts, using an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments in the clinic, and then polishes the surface; most adults have tartar both above and below the gum line (PubMed 9395117). In Lamont and colleagues' Cochrane review of 1,711 regular attenders without severe gum disease, cleaning every six months cut tartar over 2-3 years compared with no planned cleaning (standardised mean difference -0.32) while gum inflammation barely changed (PubMed 30590875).
- 01Tartar is dental plaque mineralised with calcium phosphate salts and covered by a layer of living plaque; most adults have it both above and below the gum line (PubMed 9395117).
- 02Ultrasonic and hand instruments differ in time, not in clinical result. A systematic review of 27 articles found that ultrasonic or sonic cleaning below the gum line took 36.6% less time than hand instruments (PubMed 12787208).
- 03The effect of polishing on enamel has been measured in the laboratory. Among 9 treatment groups, only air polishing with a non-abrasive powder, alone or with rubber-cup polishing, caused no enamel loss, and cementum loss in these two groups stayed at or below 20 micrometres (PubMed 33511822).
- 04Sensitivity after cleaning below the gum line is common and temporary. One day after non-surgical treatment, root sensitivity was reported in 62.5% to 90% of patients, falling to about 52.6% to 55% after one week (PubMed 23193405).
What Tartar Cleaning Removes
Tartar cleaning, known clinically as scaling, removes hardened deposits from the tooth surface in the dental chair. Tartar, or dental calculus, is old plaque that calcium phosphate salts have turned to stone, and it carries a fresh layer of living plaque on its surface; White's review found it above or below the gum line in most adults (PubMed 9395117). Once it has hardened it bonds firmly to the tooth, and a toothbrush, floss or mouthwash will not lift it.
How much tartar forms, and where, varies from person to person. Oral hygiene habits, access to professional care, diet, age, the time since the last cleaning, systemic disease and prescription medicines all play a part (PubMed 9395117). In people with regular hygiene and dental care, tartar above the gum is limited to tooth surfaces next to the salivary ducts (PubMed 9395117). In practice that means the back of the lower front teeth and the cheek side of the upper molars.
Tartar at the gum line irritates the gum and can make it bleed when you brush. Tartar below the gum line cannot be seen and is usually found at an examination or on an X-ray. Regular check-ups catch deposits while they are small, even when nothing hurts. How tartar forms and what helps at home is covered in our article dental tartar cleaning.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | Case-dependent |
| Materials Used | Ultrasonic scaler · Hand instruments (curettes) · Air-polishing powder · Polishing paste |
Scaling Step by Step
The appointment starts with an examination. The dentist checks how much tartar there is, whether the gums bleed and how deep the gum pockets are, and takes an X-ray of the area below the gum line if needed. The extent of cleaning and the number of sessions follow from these findings.
Then the tartar is removed. An ultrasonic scaler breaks up hard deposits with high-frequency vibration and washes them away with a water spray; hand instruments called curettes finish the surface in tight spaces and below the gum line. The two kinds of instrument have been compared in a systematic review. For cleaning below the gum line, ultrasonic or sonic and hand instruments showed no difference in clinical outcome, and ultrasonic cleaning took 36.6% less time (PubMed 12787208). A more recent review of subgingival instrumentation for periodontitis also found that the type of instrument did not change the result (PubMed 31889320).
The last step is polishing. The surface is smoothed with polishing paste or with an air-polishing device that uses a non-abrasive powder, so new plaque sticks more slowly. At Mosdent an AIRFLOW device, using air, water and a fine powder jet, is used to remove biofilm and surface stains. Heavy deposits may be cleaned over more than one session; you are told the number of sessions at the first examination.
How Scaling Affects Enamel and Gums
Scaling done with the right instruments lifts hard deposits off the surface; it is not meant to scrape enamel. The effect of different techniques on tooth tissue has been measured in the laboratory. In a study comparing 9 treatment groups on extracted teeth, air polishing with a non-abrasive powder, alone or followed by rubber-cup polishing with paste, caused no enamel loss, and cementum loss in these two groups stayed at or below 20 micrometres (PubMed 33511822). In the same study, adding extra polishing to scaling brought no benefit and caused more wear of hard tissue (PubMed 33511822). These are laboratory measurements and do not on their own show the long-term effect in the mouth.
Sensitivity can follow, and it is usually temporary. One day after non-surgical treatment below the gum line, the reported prevalence of root sensitivity was between 62.5% and 90%, falling to about 52.6% to 55% after one week (PubMed 23193405). In an earlier systematic review, the intensity of root sensitivity rose during the first 1-3 weeks after treatment and then eased (PubMed 12787217). A soft toothbrush and a toothpaste for sensitive teeth help in this period; if pain lasts or centres on one tooth, come back for a check.
If the gums are inflamed, they may bleed a little during cleaning; bleeding is a sign of gum inflammation and is followed up with home care after the appointment.
Treatment Process
- 01Examination: Gum bleeding, pocket depth and whether tartar reaches below the gum line are assessed; an X-ray is taken if needed.
- 02Scaling: An ultrasonic scaler breaks up hard deposits with vibration and water spray; hand instruments finish tight spaces and below the gum.
- 03Polishing: The surface is smoothed with polishing paste or air polishing (AIRFLOW) using a non-abrasive powder.
- 04Recall Interval: Your next cleaning date is set together, based on your gum findings and personal risk.
How Often You Need a Scale and Polish
How often you need scaling depends on the state of your gums and your personal risk. Lamont and colleagues' Cochrane review pooled two randomised trials and 1,711 people who attend the dentist regularly and do not have severe gum disease (PubMed 30590875). Cleaning every six months cut tartar over 2-3 years compared with no planned cleaning, a standardised mean difference of -0.32 (PubMed 30590875). Gum inflammation, pocket depth and oral health-related quality of life barely differed between the groups, and six-monthly cleaning removed slightly more tartar than 12-monthly cleaning (PubMed 30590875).
A more recent rapid review concluded that for adults with no or early gum disease and regular dental care, routine scaling may bring little clinical benefit, while for people with periodontitis, intervals tailored to individual risk help keep the gums stable (PubMed 39382084). Maintenance programmes for patients already treated for periodontitis have been built on mechanical cleaning every 3-4 months (PubMed 32060940).
Your next cleaning date is therefore set together, based on the gum measurements at your examination. The interval can be kept short if tartar builds up quickly or your risk of gum disease is high; it can be longer when the gums are healthy and deposits form slowly.
Routine Scaling and Gum Treatment Are Different
If your gums are healthy, the job is removing tartar above the gum line and polishing. If the pockets have deepened and bleed on probing, you need periodontal treatment that also cleans below the gum line, which goes further than a routine scale and polish. The European Federation of Periodontology's S3 guideline sets out periodontitis treatment in steps (PubMed 32383274). It starts with behaviour change and control of supragingival plaque and risk factors, continues with cleaning above and below the gum line, moves to surgery where needed and carries on with supportive periodontal care to keep the gains (PubMed 32383274).
The result of cleaning below the gum line has been measured. Across 9 studies, pocket depth fell by a weighted mean of 1.4 mm at 6-8 months, and 74% of pockets were estimated to have closed (PubMed 31889320). Gum treatment is covered in detail on our periodontal treatment and gum disease pages.
The link between tartar and gum disease is not fully settled. It is still unclear whether tartar below the gum causes inflammation or results from it; research suggests that, at a minimum, it may widen the area of plaque-driven damage, and removing plaque and tartar from below the gum line remains the cornerstone of periodontal treatment (PubMed 9395117).
Pregnancy, Implants and Other Situations
Gum treatment during pregnancy has been studied in randomised trials. In a Cochrane review of 15 randomised trials involving 7,161 pregnant women, adverse effects of treatment did not occur in any of the studies that reported them (PubMed 28605006). The same review notes that gum conditions tend to worsen during pregnancy (PubMed 28605006). We ask about the week of pregnancy and any medication at the examination and time the procedure accordingly.
If you have implants, a bridge or a fixed full-arch prosthesis, cleaning focuses on the area under the prosthesis and around the implants. A review of 11 studies estimated the weighted mean prevalence of peri-implant mucositis at 43% (PubMed 25495683). With screw-retained bridges, for example after All-on-4 full-arch implants, the bridge can be removed when needed so the implants can be cleaned and checked.
Scaling does not change the natural colour of your teeth. Because it removes tartar and surface stains from tea, coffee or smoking, teeth can look lighter afterwards; lightening the tooth itself needs a separate procedure, teeth whitening, which is done after cleaning if you plan it.
- 1.White DJ. Dental calculus: recent insights into occurrence, formation, prevention, removal and oral health effects of supragingival and subgingival deposits. Eur J Oral Sci 1997;105:508-22. PubMed 9395117
- 2.Lamont T, Worthington HV, Clarkson JE, Beirne PV. Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018;12:CD004625. PubMed 30590875
- 3.Tunkel J, Heinecke A, Flemmig TF. A systematic review of efficacy of machine-driven and manual subgingival debridement in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. J Clin Periodontol 2002;29 Suppl 3:72-81; discussion 90-1. PubMed 12787208
- 4.Suvan J, Leira Y, Moreno Sancho FM, Graziani F, Derks J, Tomasi C. Subgingival instrumentation for treatment of periodontitis. A systematic review. J Clin Periodontol 2020;47 Suppl 22:155-175. PubMed 31889320
- 5.Arefnia B, Koller M, Wimmer G, Lussi A, Haas M. In Vitro Study of Surface Changes Induced on Enamel and Cementum by Different Scaling and Polishing Techniques. Oral Health Prev Dent 2021;19:85-92. PubMed 33511822
- 6.Lin YH, Gillam DG. The Prevalence of Root Sensitivity following Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review. Int J Dent 2012;2012:407023. PubMed 23193405
- 7.von Troil B, Needleman I, Sanz M. A systematic review of the prevalence of root sensitivity following periodontal therapy. J Clin Periodontol 2002;29 Suppl 3:173-7; discussion 195-6. PubMed 12787217
- 8.Matthews DC, Al-Waeli H. Benefits of Dental Scaling and Polishing in Adults: A Rapid Review and Evidence Synthesis. JDR Clin Trans Res 2025;10:269-281. PubMed 39382084
- 9.Trombelli L, Farina R, Pollard A, Claydon N, Franceschetti G, Khan I, et al. Efficacy of alternative or additional methods to professional mechanical plaque removal during supportive periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Periodontol 2020;47 Suppl 22:144-154. PubMed 32060940
- 10.Sanz M, Herrera D, Kebschull M, Chapple I, Jepsen S, Beglundh T, et al. Treatment of stage I-III periodontitis-The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. J Clin Periodontol 2020;47 Suppl 22:4-60. PubMed 32383274
- 11.Iheozor-Ejiofor Z, Middleton P, Esposito M, Glenny AM. Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017;6:CD005297. PubMed 28605006
- 12.Derks J, Tomasi C. Peri-implant health and disease. A systematic review of current epidemiology. J Clin Periodontol 2015;42 Suppl 16:S158-71. PubMed 25495683
Planning your stay in Istanbul
- Arrival
- Our international team helps coordinate your arrival, including hotel recommendations and airport transfer.
- Location
- Bahçelievler, Istanbul; about 30 minutes from both Istanbul airports.
The exact schedule is written into your treatment plan after the examination. How the patient journey works
What our guests say.
Real reviews from Google and Trustpilot; guests who had this treatment come first.
I visited for teeth cleaning and teeth whitening, and all of my procedures were completed quickly and professionally. I would like to sincerely thank the patient consultant, Ms. Ecran, for her kindness and support, Dr. Ferit for his excellent care, and Endodontic Specialist Dr. Melike for her prompt diagnosis and treatment. The entire team was friendly, attentive, and professional. I left the hospital very satisfied. Thank you to everyone for their outstanding service.
I found Mosdent through various platforms after searching for 2 years for a reputable dentist in Turkey for an all-on-6 implants. Their stellar reviews on multiple platforms and their great communication won me over. I traveled from the Netherlands to to the clinic for the first stage of extractions and from the communication to the end of my 1st stage, the team Bahadir Olcay,Alaaddin Kilicaslan and Pelinsu Yikilmaz has shown utmost professionalism and kindness.My first appointment with DT Kaval was extremely kind, very precise and took his time to explain everything and made me feel at ease. I wish all dentists had the same talent. I'm extremely satisfied with the staff and treatment.Special thanks to Ozgür for flawless communication and support
An advanced clinic and an excellent experience! I came from Oman for a jaw problem and got the perfect splint at a much lower price than other places. The entire staff is wonderful and the service is highly professional. I strongly recommend them.
I recently had a gum graft procedure at Mosdent and had an excellent experience. The dentist was highly skilled, my contact person was very helpful and the overall cost was quite reasonable. The entire team was friendly and professional. I definitely recommend Mosdent.
I had a truly wonderful experience at Mosdent Dental Hospital. The entire team was exceptionally professional and patient, providing meticulous care from start to finish. It was more than just a treatment — it was an enjoyable and reassuring journey. A special thank you to Delnaz for her all-round support and prompt responses at every stage. Her assistance made the whole process smooth and worry-free. Mosdent will definitely be one of the most beautiful memories of my time in Turkey. Highly recommended!
I had an exceptional experience at Mosdent Dental Hospital in Istanbul. From my initial inquiry to post-treatment follow-up, Elsa ensured seamless communication, addressing all my concerns with utmost professionalism. The entire staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, patiently answering my questions without ever pressuring me into unnecessary procedures. Their commitment to patient-centered care and transparency truly sets them apart. I highly recommend Mosdent for anyone seeking quality dental services in a welcoming environment.
I recently visited Mosdent for two different procedures—my daughter’s tooth extraction and my own dental implants—and I couldn’t be more impressed! From start to finish, the team was professional, caring, and highly skilled. They made my daughter feel completely at ease during her extraction, ensuring a smooth and pain-free experience. As for my dental implants, the entire process was handled with precision and expertise. The staff took the time to explain everything clearly, and the results have been fantastic! I truly appreciate their exceptional service, friendly approach, and high level of professionalism. If you’re looking for a trustworthy dental clinic that puts patient care first, I highly recommend Mosdent
I was terrified at the prospect of having my teeth ground down but I had sedation I was totally relaxed when having this done and after that I felt calm and had no more fear I must say that everyone there was very nice… polite and professional and made me feel like I was the only patient they had… especially Ozgur who was there every step of the way from beginning to end organizing… reassuring and allaying any worries I had So many thanks to him I waited a long time to have this done and I had my concerns about having this done in another country There are not many clinics that offer sedation and this was the main reason I went to Mosdent… but I could not have made a better decision The end result… which is the all important part was amazing and surpassed my expectations If you want the best treatment at a very reasonable price I strongly recommend you chose Mosdent This is a genuine review and I have very high expectations which were more than reached
At my first visit everything was fine and everything went well. Great clinic, professional ,knowledgeable Staff and great service Elsa was extremely helpful during my treatment. I recommend this clinic.
Super pro and very friendly and concerned about your health not only about your money.
I had the whole treatment from A to Z done at this center. Extremely satisfied. Great customer service and support, great treatment and good pricing.
I visited for teeth cleaning and teeth whitening, and all of my procedures were completed quickly and professionally. I would like to sincerely thank the patient consultant, Ms. Ecran, for her kindness and support, Dr. Ferit for his excellent care, and Endodontic Specialist Dr. Melike for her prompt diagnosis and treatment. The entire team was friendly, attentive, and professional. I left the hospital very satisfied. Thank you to everyone for their outstanding service.
I found Mosdent through various platforms after searching for 2 years for a reputable dentist in Turkey for an all-on-6 implants. Their stellar reviews on multiple platforms and their great communication won me over. I traveled from the Netherlands to to the clinic for the first stage of extractions and from the communication to the end of my 1st stage, the team Bahadir Olcay,Alaaddin Kilicaslan and Pelinsu Yikilmaz has shown utmost professionalism and kindness.My first appointment with DT Kaval was extremely kind, very precise and took his time to explain everything and made me feel at ease. I wish all dentists had the same talent. I'm extremely satisfied with the staff and treatment.Special thanks to Ozgür for flawless communication and support
An advanced clinic and an excellent experience! I came from Oman for a jaw problem and got the perfect splint at a much lower price than other places. The entire staff is wonderful and the service is highly professional. I strongly recommend them.
I recently had a gum graft procedure at Mosdent and had an excellent experience. The dentist was highly skilled, my contact person was very helpful and the overall cost was quite reasonable. The entire team was friendly and professional. I definitely recommend Mosdent.
I had a truly wonderful experience at Mosdent Dental Hospital. The entire team was exceptionally professional and patient, providing meticulous care from start to finish. It was more than just a treatment — it was an enjoyable and reassuring journey. A special thank you to Delnaz for her all-round support and prompt responses at every stage. Her assistance made the whole process smooth and worry-free. Mosdent will definitely be one of the most beautiful memories of my time in Turkey. Highly recommended!
I had an exceptional experience at Mosdent Dental Hospital in Istanbul. From my initial inquiry to post-treatment follow-up, Elsa ensured seamless communication, addressing all my concerns with utmost professionalism. The entire staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, patiently answering my questions without ever pressuring me into unnecessary procedures. Their commitment to patient-centered care and transparency truly sets them apart. I highly recommend Mosdent for anyone seeking quality dental services in a welcoming environment.
I recently visited Mosdent for two different procedures—my daughter’s tooth extraction and my own dental implants—and I couldn’t be more impressed! From start to finish, the team was professional, caring, and highly skilled. They made my daughter feel completely at ease during her extraction, ensuring a smooth and pain-free experience. As for my dental implants, the entire process was handled with precision and expertise. The staff took the time to explain everything clearly, and the results have been fantastic! I truly appreciate their exceptional service, friendly approach, and high level of professionalism. If you’re looking for a trustworthy dental clinic that puts patient care first, I highly recommend Mosdent
I was terrified at the prospect of having my teeth ground down but I had sedation I was totally relaxed when having this done and after that I felt calm and had no more fear I must say that everyone there was very nice… polite and professional and made me feel like I was the only patient they had… especially Ozgur who was there every step of the way from beginning to end organizing… reassuring and allaying any worries I had So many thanks to him I waited a long time to have this done and I had my concerns about having this done in another country There are not many clinics that offer sedation and this was the main reason I went to Mosdent… but I could not have made a better decision The end result… which is the all important part was amazing and surpassed my expectations If you want the best treatment at a very reasonable price I strongly recommend you chose Mosdent This is a genuine review and I have very high expectations which were more than reached
At my first visit everything was fine and everything went well. Great clinic, professional ,knowledgeable Staff and great service Elsa was extremely helpful during my treatment. I recommend this clinic.
Super pro and very friendly and concerned about your health not only about your money.
I had the whole treatment from A to Z done at this center. Extremely satisfied. Great customer service and support, great treatment and good pricing.
Who is this treatment for?
- Yellow or brown hard deposits at the gum line or on the inner surface of the lower front teeth
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Supportive care after previous gum treatment
- Plaque and tartar around implants, bridges or fixed prostheses
- Cleaning the tooth surface before a treatment such as teeth whitening
Doctors specialising in this treatment
Frequently asked
01How is tartar cleaning done?+
Tartar cleaning starts with an examination of how much tartar there is, whether the gums bleed and how deep the pockets are. An ultrasonic scaler then breaks up hard deposits with vibration and water spray, hand instruments finish tight spaces and the area below the gum line, and the surface is polished. Below the gum line, ultrasonic and hand instruments gave the same clinical results, and ultrasonic cleaning took 36.6% less time (PubMed 12787208).
02How often should you have a scale and polish?+
The interval is set for each person. In adults without severe periodontitis who see a dentist regularly, a Cochrane review found that six-monthly treatment reduced calculus slightly more than 12-monthly treatment (standardised mean difference -0.13) but made no difference to gingivitis (PubMed 30590875). For patients already treated for periodontitis, maintenance programmes have been run at 3-4 month intervals (PubMed 32060940).
03Can tartar be removed by brushing?+
No. Tartar is mineralised plaque that bonds firmly to the tooth, so brushing, floss or mouthwash will not lift it, and scraping at it with a hard object damages enamel and gums. Anti-tartar ingredients in toothpaste or mouthwash can delay plaque from hardening, but they do not dissolve tartar that has already formed (PubMed 9395117). Home care slows new build-up; scaling at the clinic removes what is there.
04Does scaling damage tooth enamel?+
Scaling done with the right instruments lifts deposits off the surface and is not meant to scrape enamel. In a laboratory study comparing 9 scaling and polishing combinations on extracted teeth, air polishing with a non-abrasive powder, alone or with rubber-cup polishing, were the only two approaches that caused no enamel loss; adding extra polishing to scaling caused more wear of hard tissue (PubMed 33511822).
05Are your teeth sensitive after scaling?+
Temporary sensitivity is the most common side effect. One day after non-surgical treatment below the gum line, the reported prevalence of root sensitivity was between 62.5% and 90%, falling to about 52.6% to 55% after one week (PubMed 23193405). The review describes it as mostly mild to moderate and short-lived. These figures come from studies of treatment below the gum line.
06Is scaling safe during pregnancy?+
Gum treatment in pregnancy has been studied in randomised trials. In a Cochrane review of 15 randomised trials involving 7,161 pregnant women, adverse effects of treatment did not occur in any of the studies that reported them (PubMed 28605006). The review also notes that gum conditions tend to worsen during pregnancy. We ask about the week of pregnancy and any medication, and time the appointment accordingly.
07How is tartar below the gum line treated?+
Tartar below the gum line is removed by subgingival instrumentation, part of periodontal treatment. Across 9 studies, pocket depth fell by a weighted mean of 1.4 mm at 6-8 months and 74% of pockets were estimated to have closed; the type of instrument did not change the result (PubMed 31889320). Whether you need this deeper cleaning is decided from the pocket measurements at your examination.
Periodontology
Gum Disease
Gum disease is two conditions: gingivitis stays in the gum and reverses with plaque control; periodontitis adds tissue and bone loss that does not reverse.
Explore→02Pink Aesthetics
Pink aesthetics corrects how much gum shows, its symmetry and colour; more than 2 mm of gum above the upper incisors at maximum smile counts as excessive.
Explore→03Periodontal Flap Surgery
Periodontal flap surgery lifts the gum, cleans the root under direct vision and stitches it back to close deep pockets that non-surgical cleaning left open.
Explore→04Gum Surgery
Gum surgery rebuilds lost soft tissue: it covers an exposed root, moves a receded gum margin back up and widens the band of keratinised tissue.
Explore→05Gingivectomy
Gingivectomy cuts away excess or diseased gum tissue; it is used to correct a gummy smile, eliminate periodontal pockets and recontour an irregular gum line.
Explore→06Periodontology General
General periodontology is where gum treatment starts: pocket depths are charted, bleeding on probing recorded and the maintenance interval set from them.
Explore→Speak with your doctor about this treatment.
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