Periodontal Maintenance

Periodontal maintenance is a specialized cleaning for patients who have already been treated for gum disease. A standard preventive cleaning focuses on the crown of the tooth, above and just below the gumline. Maintenance visits go further, reaching into the deeper pockets that form when gum tissue separates from the root, removing the plaque and hardened tartar that collect there, and smoothing root surfaces so tissue has a clean surface to reattach to. Our hygienist also measures pocket depths at each visit, so we can see in numbers whether an area is holding steady, improving, or beginning to slip.

The patients who benefit most are those who have completed scaling and root planing, those with a history of bleeding or receding gums, and those who have had gum grafting or crown lengthening and want to protect that work. We also see patients with dental implants or implant-supported dentures on a maintenance schedule, since the tissue around an implant needs the same vigilance as the tissue around a natural tooth. Because we treat patients of all ages here, we look at the whole picture — medications, smoking, diabetes, grinding, orthodontic history — rather than treating gum health as an isolated problem.

Most patients on periodontal maintenance come in more often than every six months. A three- or four-month interval is common, because the bacteria that cause gum inflammation repopulate pockets on a fairly predictable timeline, and the goal is to interrupt that cycle before it does damage. Your interval is a clinical decision we make together, based on your pocket readings, your bleeding points, and how your tissue responds between visits — not a fixed rule.

It also helps to know that periodontal maintenance is typically an ongoing commitment rather than a short course of treatment. Gum disease can be controlled and kept stable, but the susceptibility doesn't disappear. Patients often tell us the visits get easier over time as inflammation settles down. If you're anxious about sensitivity, our comfort menu is available at every appointment — blankets, warm towels, neck pillows, headphones, Netflix and refreshments — and we offer nitrous oxide sedation when that would make the visit more comfortable.

Here's what a maintenance appointment generally includes at our office:

• Updated pocket-depth measurements and a check for bleeding or recession
• Removal of plaque and tartar above and below the gumline, including root surfaces
• Polishing, and fluoride treatment when it's appropriate for you
• An exam by one of our doctors, along with an oral cancer screening
• X-rays as needed to monitor the bone supporting your teeth
• A review of home care, plus a night guard discussion if grinding is adding stress to the gums

Insurance, Membership and Payment

We accept all major PPO insurance plans and will run a complimentary benefits check so you know your coverage before treatment. Many plans cover periodontal maintenance at a set frequency, and we'll tell you plainly what applies to you.

For patients without insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for adults and $99 for ages 17 and under, with exams, X-rays, two cleanings and two fluoride treatments covered at 100% and 20% to 50% off other treatment — no deductibles, no waiting period, no annual maximum. CareCredit financing is available, and we accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Healthy gums are worth protecting. Call us at 22500 Allen Rd. in Woodhaven to schedule your next maintenance visit — se habla español, and new patients are always welcome.