Periodontics

Periodontal Maintenance

Supportive periodontal care

After the Periodontist has completed the active phase of periodontal treatment, your periodontal disease will be under control. They will provide you with a personalized maintenance program of care to keep your gums healthy.

Maintenance therapy is an ongoing program designed to prevent disease in the gum tissues and bone supporting your teeth. Adherence to a program of conscientious home oral care and regularly scheduled maintenance therapy visits with your dentist and our periodontists will give you an excellent chance of keeping your teeth for your lifetime.

Why is supportive periodontal care 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 specific bacteria within your bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. The bacteria in this plaque produce toxins, or poisons, which constantly attack your gums and teeth. Unless plaque is removed, it hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Daily brushing and flossing will help to minimize the formation of 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 within two to four months after your last professional cleaning. However the rapidity of the return of the periodontal disease causing bacterial plaque can take as long as 18-24 months. Therefore, a dental professional must check for hidden problems and remove the plaque and calculus (or tartar) at time intervals appropriate for you so that your teeth and gums stay healthy.

Who should perform supportive periodontal 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 the periodontist needs to oversee your care. Together, you, your general dentist and our 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
assessment of your oral hygiene habits and provision of instruction
removal of bacterial plaque and tartar
x-ray film studies to evaluate your teeth and the bone supporting your teeth
examination of your teeth for decay and other dental problems
checkup on the way your teeth fit together when you bite
application or prescription of medications to reduce tooth sensitivity or other problems you may have.

How often should you have supportive periodontal care visits?

Your periodontal condition is the deciding factor. The interval between your supportive periodontal care (spc) visits might be as often as every few weeks or as frequent as every six months. Everyone’s situation is different. The frequency of your supportive care 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 growth
your personal commitment to good oral care at home.
your genetic or systemic disease risk factors (diabetes, smoking, etc).

What is the relationship between your dentist and Drs. Hinckfuss, McGregor, Mitchell, Chin?

Your dentist and periodontist work together as a team to provide you with the best possible care. They combine their experience to formulate the best maintenance plan for you. They keep each other informed about your progress. Although our periodontists 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 the periodontist detects tooth decay during a maintenance visit, they will refer you to your general dentist for treatment. Your general 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 keep your natural teeth for as long as possible—carefully and conscientiously follow the guidelines of the maintenance program that your periodontist 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.