Fraud Blocker Dental Cleanings in Our Fort Collins Dental Office

Dental Cleanings in Fort Collins

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Includes Cleaning, Exam, X-Ray *New Patients & Non Periodontal Disease Only

Periodic Dental Cleanings are Essential for Your Oral Health

Dental cleanings are one of the essential dental services that we offer at Murphy Dental in Fort Collins. Cleanings help remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and help prevent gum and bone disease.
Our dentist, Dr. Murphy, and his team at Murphy Dental offer comprehensive dental care services for patients of all ages, and we would be happy to provide you with dental a cleaning. You know you’re in good hands at Murphy Dental as our office has been voted a 5280 top Dentist since 2014!

Why do I Even Need a Dental Cleaning?

Plaque gets deposited on and in between your teeth – over time by eating and drinking. The carbohydrates in what you consume interact with the bacteria naturally occurring in your mouth.
The carbohydrate-bacteria interaction produces acids that can actually attack the enamel on your teeth. This results in plaque being formed. You may be able to sense plaque as a gross, sticky film on your teeth.
While plaque can usually be effectively kept mostly in check by brushing and flossing regularly, it can harden into tartar (also called calculus). Tartar is much more complicated to remove – and requires professional dental cleaning by our staff at Murphy dental.
Both plaque and tartar have the potential to cause dental problems including tooth decay – including cavities and tooth loss. They can also lead to gum and bone disease – including gingivitis and the more serious periodontal disease.

By getting regular dental cleaning at our office in Fort Collins, we can help to remove this buildup of plaque and tartar and keep your mouth healthy.

What to Expect from Dental Cleanings at our Fort Collins Dentistry

Dental Cleaning Process

There are multiple steps throughout the process of getting your teeth cleaned. The steps are described in detail below.

Your Dental Care Habits & Status

Our hygienist will protect your oral health, and make sure that you’re comfortable during the process. They are there for you. We encourage you to ask any questions and express any concerns that you have with your hygienist.
The first thing your hygienist will do is ask about your oral healthcare routine. You’ll share your general dental hygiene practices with your hygienist. They’ll also ask if you’ve noticed any trouble spots with your teeth or gums.

Remove any plaque and tartar from your teeth with a scaler

To remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, your hygienist will use an air flow and/or periodontal scaler. These devices are used to remove tartar from above and below the gum line. The scaler is placed on/near the tooth to loosen and remove tartar/stain. Where the air flow is a less sensitive technique used to remove, loosen tarter and stain with the highest standards of performance, safety and comfort in mind. Your hygienist will likely use a combination of both during your dental cleaning.

Ultrasonic scalers remove plaque and tartar by using high-frequency sound waves. This type of scaling can be more effective than manual scaling, and it can help to remove stubborn plaque and tartar deposits. Ultrasonic scalers are also less likely to cause irritation to the gums.
Airflow flow and its powder comfortably and efficiently removes biofilm, stains, and calculus above and below the tissues reducing the need for hand and power instrumentation. The Piezon No Pain instrument delivers minimally invasive scaling as needed. The treatment is performed with a regulated irrigation temperature.
Prior to cleanings, you have the option to use an anti-sensitivity paste, numbing mouth rinse, nitrous oxide or options for sedation. During your visit you will have the option to listen to music, watch a television show or even enjoy a movie. Your hygienist will take great care to make sure that you’re kept comfortable and relaxed during the entire cleaning process.

Flossing Your Teeth

As the final part of your dental cleaning prior to the exam, the hygienist will floss your teeth. This is done to make sure that all surfaces of the tooth are addressed. It also is used after the scaling and polishing to remove any remaining loose pieces of debris that may have lodged between teeth.

Dental Exam

In most cases after scaling and polishing, Dr. Murphy will perform a complete dental examination. During this dental exam, he will be looking for signs of tooth decay and gum disease. He’ll also take a look at any previous dental work that you’ve had done in the past (like sealants, crowns, and fillings) to make sure that everything looks great. An oral cancer screen will also be conducted as part of this process.

Fluoride Treatment

After our dentist has conducted the exam, a fluoride treatment may also be recommended for patients. Many people think that this treatment is only for younger patients – this is not the case. We use fluoride treatments to protect the teeth of both adults and children. The process takes a few seconds, and you do not have to avoid eating and drinking following application.. For more information, see our page on fluoride treatments.

Dental Visit Wrap Up

After the dental cleaning, exam, and fluoride, you will be given instructions on how to properly care for your teeth at home. For most patients, there are a couple of things that they could do better from a hygiene standpoint. We’ll let you know what problem areas to keep an eye on. You’ll also be scheduled for your next appointment to see the dentist at this point.

Dental Deep Cleanings

Dental exams are used to identify potential early stage gum disease (gingivitis) or the more advanced periodontitis. A dental deep cleaning may be required if you’re showing signs of gum disease. Our dentist Dr. Murphy may point out these signs of gum disease that may require a deep cleaning:

  • Gum tissue that bleed easily
  • Red, swollen, or tender gums
  • Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Pus between your gums and teeth
Effectively treating gum disease with deep cleanings can help to prevent more serious problems like the need for a tooth extraction, root canal, oral surgery and even dental implants.
A deep cleaning is much more involved than a regular dental cleaning. With a deep cleaning our hygienist will clean below the gum line where they can access the roots of your teeth to remove any tartar buildup. It involves both periodontal scaling and root planing using the traditional treatment with scalers or using laser periodontal treatment.
Murphy Dental’s one of a kind periodontal protocol is effective with long term success at treating the disease. In addition to performing deeper cleanings, the hygienist will perform a saliva test to identify leading causes of the disease, products to aid in healing and remission of the disease such as Iodine Concentrates and Probiora. Periodontal scaling is a process where we use special instruments to remove tartar both above and below the gum line. This is done in a quadrant fashion – meaning that normally one half of your mouth is addressed at a time.
Root planing is the process of removing plaque or calculus (tartar) that has built up on the roots of your teeth which actually smooths out the roots. This smoother surface makes it harder for the bacteria to adhere to your teeth. It also makes it easier for your gums to attach to your teeth.
With the TwinLight Periodontal Laser therapy we can now offer you the most up to date solution to periodontal disease possible. Using this laser therapy the procedures are fast, simple, effective and safe.
This laser treatment in less invasive than conventional treatments, minimal or no-pain after procedure, extremely effective at gum-tooth reattachment, growth of new tissue and bone regeneration, quicker recovery time, and less chance of gum disease returning.
Deep cleanings are much more involved dental procedure than a regular dental cleaning and may require more than one office visit. It is also possible based on the sensitivity of your teeth and gums that you may require numbing to stay comfortable during the procedure. For extremely sensitive patients, we have sedation dentistry options – this includes both oral sedation and IV sedation.
During your dental exam, our Fort Collins team will let you know if you need a deep cleaning.

Dental Cleanings: Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?

In most cases, you can count on around 30-45 minutes for a dental cleaning. If you're also having a dental exam or other dental procedures, you'll want to allow for at least an hour.

The length of a teeth cleaning is dependent on the severity of the build-up on your teeth. If you have heavy tartar buildup, it will take longer to remove. If the tartar buildup is severe enough, it may even require more than one cleaning session.

Deep Dental cleanings (described below) are required if you have gum disease and will take significantly longer than a regular dental cleaning.

How Often Do I Need to Get a Dental Cleaning?

Most people need a dental cleaning semi-annually. Due to genetics, diet, and hygiene habits, there are some people who have less aggressive plaque buildup than others who may need to come in a bit less frequently. There are others who accumulate plaque and tartar buildup more quickly - these people may need to come in a bit more often. Our staff can advise you on the frequency of your dental cleaning - but the overwhelming majority of patients should come in to our Fort Collins dentistry for a routine cleaning every six months.

How Much Does a Dental Cleaning Cost?

Many insurance plans will completely cover the cost of at least one dental cleaning per year, and oftentimes two dental cleanings. We accept most insurance at Murphy Dental - check out our insurance page for more information. There, you should be able to find our general insurance policies and information about your insurance carrier.

We have the Murphy Dental in-house insurance plan that offers reasonably priced payment options and terms if you don't have dental insurance. We also accept care credit financing.

The actual cost of a dental cleaning will vary based on the type of dental cleaning that you require. Our dental office front desk staff can help you with the details.

Easy Payment Options

We accept most major insurance, cash, most credit cards, and offer patient financing with Cherry and CareCredit.

Payment Options: Call (970) 225-8081

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Fort Collins Dental Cleanings

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Same day appointments usually available.

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(970) 225-8081

Fort Collins Location

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Our Reviews

We’re proud to offer you  the latest technology and most comfortable amenities:  

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In addition to our great reviews, we’re proud to have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Current Specials & Services

New Patient Specials

$175

Comprehensive Dental Exam

- Full Mouth X-Rays
- Panoramic X-Rays
- Comprehensive Oral Exam








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$50*

Emergency Exam

Emergency Exam (Problem-Focused) and X-Ray for Diagnosis: $50.00**

(*Fee Waived with same-day treatment)





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Bleaching

Multiple Whitening Options

- Zoom!® In-Office Whitening with Take-Home Trays for $450
- Zoom!® In-Office Whitening without Take-Home Trays $350
- Take-Home Trays for $250
- GlossRay Take Home Kit for $95

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$175

CT Scan

- Lower Radiation Than X-Rays
- Better Technology Than X-Rays
- For Implants, Impacted Teeth, Surgical Procedures

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$350

In Office Bleaching

Includes Take Home Trays



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$40*

Kids Exam

- Child Exam
- Teeth Cleaning
- X-Ray
- Fluoride

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Call for Details

Dental Implants

- Start to Finish
- Surgical Implant & Placement
- Abutment
- Porcelain Crown


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$500 Off

SureSmile Clear Aligners

- Straightens Teeth
- Fabulous Smile
- Includes Whitening



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$40*

Fluoride Treatment

- With Dental Cleaning
- Limited Time Only




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All Services

Cosmetic Dentistry

Restorative Dentistry

Emergency Dentistry

Preventative Dentistry

Other Services

  • Oral Surgery

Welcome from Dr. Murphy

Dentist Dr. Michael Murphy
Brand Name

About Dr. Murphy

We are excited to welcome you to Murphy Dental! Our goal is to provide excellent care and a relaxing environment for our patients. Whether you are looking for a routine checkup, cosmetic dentistry, emergency dentistry or restorative care, we can help!

We offer general dentistry, including cleanings, exams, X-rays, fillings, crowns and more. We also can provide restorative care, including endodontics, implantology and periodontics. We take pride in offering outstanding service at affordable prices.

Dr. Murphy is our Fort Collins Dentist. He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Colorado Dental Association (CDA). Our Fort Collins dental practice is consistently rated as a Top Dentist in 5280 Magazine thanks to Dr. Murphy and his skilled team of dental hygienists.

Contact Us

Phone:

(970) 225-8081

Address

2038 Caribou Dr. Suite 101
Fort Collins, CO 80525

Directions

We’re located on Caribou Dr just west of Timberline Ave – north of Harmony Road and South of Horsetooth Road. For full directions click here.
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