Periodontal Maintenance
Your commitment to periodontal maintenance is your commitment to better oral health.
After your periodontal disease is under control it is important to keep it from coming back. A personalized maintenance program , along with good oral hygiene, can keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Adherence to a program of conscientious home oral care and regularly scheduled maintenance therapy visits will give you an excellent chance of keeping your teeth for your lifetime.
➤ Why is periodontal maintenance important?
As you have learned, you are susceptible to gum disease. And, you have probably learned, too, that the main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. The bacteria in this plaque produce toxins, which constantly attack your gums and teeth. Unless plaque is broken up, it hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus. Daily brushing and flossing will help to minimize the formation of plaque and calculus, but it won’t completely prevent it. No matter how careful you are in cleaning your teeth and gums, bacterial plaque can cause a recurrence of gum disease from two to four months after your last professional cleaning. Therefore, a dental professional must check for hidden problems and remove the hidden plaque and the calculus at time intervals appropriate for you so that your teeth and gums stay healthy.
➤ Who should perform periodontal maintenance therapy?
The answer depends on you and the severity of your gum disease before treatment. Generally, the more severe your periodontal disease is initially, the more often a periodontist needs to oversee your care. Together, you, your general dentist and our team of periodontists will work out the most effective schedule for your supportive periodontal care.
Your maintenance/supportive periodontal care visit may include:
discussion of any changes in your health history
examination of your mouth tissues for abnormal changes
measurement of the depth of pockets around your teeth (the amount of bone loss)
assessment of your oral hygiene habits
removal of bacterial plaque and calculus
x-ray film studies to evaluate your teeth and the bone supporting your teeth
an overview of your teeth for decay and other dental problems
an evaluation of your bite
application or prescription of medications to reduce tooth sensitivity or other problems you may have
➤ How often should you have periodontal maintenance visits?
Your periodontal condition is the deciding factor. The interval between your supportive periodontal care visits might be as often as every few weeks or as infrequent as every six months. Everyone’s situation is different. The frequency of your maintenance visits will be influenced by:
the type of periodontal disease you have
the type of periodontal treatment you have
your response to treatment
your rate of plaque and tartar growth
your personal commitment to good oral care at home
systemic problems that
➤ What is the relationship between your general dentist and a periodontist?
Your dentist and our team of periodontists work together closely to provide you with the best possible care. We combine our experience to formulate the best maintenance plan for you. We keep each other informed about your progress. Although our office may see you periodically for maintenance therapy, you will need to see your general dentist as well. Appointments for periodontal maintenance do not replace regular dental checkups. If we detect tooth decay during a maintenance visit, we will refer you to your regular dentist for treatment. Your regular dentist is primarily responsible for your overall dental health, including such dental needs as filling new or recurrent cavities or making changes in fillings, crowns or bridges.
To prevent periodontal disease, the major cause of tooth loss in adults—and improve the probability that you will keep your natural teeth for your lifetime—carefully and conscientiously follow the guidelines of the maintenance program that our team recommends. Protecting your periodontal health through preventive maintenance has great benefits for you. You will be able to chew with more comfort, and you will be able to smile and speak with greater confidence. You will be able to keep dental costs down by preventing future problems. Your commitment to maintenance therapy is your commitment to your better oral health.