During a dental cleaning, Dr. Hanschu’s hygienist will gently remove tartar buildup from each of your teeth and polish your enamel in order to remove minor staining. Removing tartar (also called calculus) is important because it harbors harmful bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums and breakdown of the gum and bone that support the teeth. In many cases, an ultrasonic scaler is used. This technology uses sound waves and water to remove tartar and disrupt bacteria around the teeth. It is considered by many researchers to be an ideal method for preventive and therapeutic cleaning of the teeth. The hygienist will also check your gums for possible signs of periodontal disease and will alert Dr. Hanschu so that you can begin additional treatment if needed. Non-surgical treatment of gum disease is appropriate for many patients. This involves scaling and root planing of the teeth and in some cases placement of a localized antibiotic called Arestin. Dr. Hanschu’s highly skilled hygienists will always customize your cleaning to be sure you are comfortable during your visit. Options for patient comfort include neck pillows, mouth supports, desensitizing paste, topical anesthetic gel and even numbing the teeth.

Today, the top U.S. dental schools promote CAMBRA as a best practice for dentists making preventive dental care recommendations. Dr. Hanschu’s office has practiced CAMBRA protocols since they were introduced in 2007. Always wanting to be on the leading edge of dental technology and systems, Dr. Hanschu has continually refined her decision making process to best serve her patients. Within this process, Dr. Hanschu has found that some of the most important risk factors for tooth decay include:

High levels harmful bacteria in your mouth
Frequent exposure of your teeth to sweet or starchy foods
More acidic saliva
Low amounts of saliva (also called xerostomia or dry mouth)

Dr. Hanschu always holds the well-being of her patients as the highest priority. By relying on digital X-rays, Dr. Hanschu is able to make precise and detailed images of your teeth that are instantly accessible on a conveniently placed monitor in your appointment room. Dr. Hanschu can “show and tell” you all about your treatment plan and potential areas of concern. In this way, your dental check up appointment recommendations are easier to understand. Digital x-rays also emit 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays and are therefore a much safer option. By following the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) FDA guidelines, Dr. Hanschu takes only the radiographs that are absolutely necessary for diagnosis and to complete your treatment.

With the help of the latest technology, during your dental check up, Dr. Hanschu can diagnose the likelihood of future decay before it has a chance to take root in your mouth. This can be achieved with a bacterial test using an ATP meter. The test is quick and painless, yielding reviewable results in a matter of seconds. The screening will give Dr. Hanschu and her Orangevale dental team a strong indication of your individual risk for future decay. Dr. Hanschu can help you with recommendations that will reduce your risk for decay, such as antibacterial rinses and re-mineralizing.

Did you know that thousands of people every year are diagnosed with oral cancer? This disease can be devastating and even deadly if left untreated for too long. That’s why diagnosing oral cancer in its earliest stages is so crucial to the treatment process. Dr. Hanschu can quickly and comfortably scan for oral cancer as a part of your routine dental check up. She will be looking for any tissue abnormalities that could suggest its presence. Dr. Hanschu and her experienced team are devoted to protecting your overall health and your smile.

Laurie T. Hanschu DDS
6660 Coyle Ave. #240 
Carmichael, CA 95608

Phone: (916) 966-5269

Office Hours:
Mon: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Tue: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Wed: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Thu: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Sat-Sun: Closed