How can you assess the effectiveness of coronal polishing?

Assessing the effectiveness of coronal polishing largely focuses on the outcome that the procedure aims to achieve, which is the removal of stains and plaque from tooth surfaces. Visually inspecting the tooth surfaces before and after the polishing procedure allows for a direct comparison of the results. This method enables the clinician to see the immediate impact of the treatment, specifically in terms of stain removal and overall appearance of the enamel.

While other factors, such as enamel thickness and patient feedback on sensitivity, provide valuable information about the patient's oral health and experience, they do not directly measure the success of the coronal polishing itself. Similarly, checking the patient's overall oral health is important for comprehensive dental care, but it doesn’t specifically evaluate the effectiveness of the polishing procedure in the context of stain removal. Therefore, visual inspection of tooth surfaces serves as a practical and immediate assessment of the polishing effectiveness.