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Amy's Class Notes on Selective Polishing (1999)
I don't know if these will help you out but just in case, I added them onto the site.  These are just notes that I took in class in different formats.

• Definition -- omitting polishing in areas where it fails to meet a human need related to oral health and when it can damage the tooth structure.  Do not polish entire mouth, just those with stain.

Refrain because:

• Every time you polish a tooth 3-4 microns of fluoride-rich enamel is removed. 
• Cosmetic vs. therapeutic.
• Polishing is mostly cosmetic.
• Polishing creates aerosols and heat.
• May roughen restorations.

Start to encourage selective polishing.

Indications vs. Contraindications

• Do not do immediately after a deep scaling and root planing procedure.
• Do not polish demineralized areas (contraindication)
• Esthetic restorations (contraindication)
• Newly erupted teeth (contraindication) - may not be fully mineralized yet.
• No stain present (contraindication)
• People with respiratory problem (contraindicated due to aerosols)
• Before sealants (indication)
• Rampant Caries (contraindication)
• Stain on cementum (contraindicated)
• Stain on enamel (indicated) -- lowest abrasive possible.
• Thin enamel (contraindication)
• Hypersensitivity (contraindicated) -- heat might remove end of tubules.
• Xerostomia (contraindication) -- No saliva, more caries prone, enamel might be compromised, might be irritating to dry tissues.
• Gingival irritation (contraindication) -- until bleeding is under control, may cause a bacteremia.
• Patient with a communicable disease (contraindication) -- aerosols.

Misconceptions about selective polishing:

1. Need to polish before fluoride -- NOT TRUE
2. Only selective polish people on a frequent recall.  (ex. 3 month perio recall, should not be polishing at every 3 months, only selectively polish stain)

If you would like to help me out and add some of your class notes to help others out, please email me and I will add it to the site -- THANKS :)

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