PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE VS REGULAR DENTAL CLEANINGS

Regular Cleaning vs Periodontal Maintenance

Patients who are prescribed periodontal maintenance often want to know how this differs from routine teeth cleaning. A brief explanation on the differences between the two procedures in provided below.

Prophylaxis or Regular Cleaning

Prophylaxis, or a professional dental cleaning, is recommended for patients who don’t suffer from bone loss, periodontal disease or infection around the teeth. Patients should not experience bleeding, teeth movement, receded gums or gaps where the roots of the teeth are exposed. For a regular cleaning, patients should have good oral health without any bone or gum issues.

A regular cleaning is completed two to three times a year for most patients depending on how quickly stain, tartar and plaque accumulate. Regular cleanings are considered a preventive procedure by insurance providers as they help prevent periodontal disease. Prophylaxis is a preventative measure included in your routine dental visit. These cleanings focus on removing plaque and other irritants from the mouth, conduct a thorough cleaning, floss and polishing the teeth. Deposits build up on teeth over time and ultimately result in tartar. Tartar is the primary cause of numerous oral health issues and can eventually lead to periodontal disease and result in the loss of teeth or bone. It is important to prevent the build-up of tartar with regular brushing and flossing. Some deposits are unavoidable over time and require a professional cleaning for removal.

Regular dental cleanings are critical in maintaining a healthy smile and preventing gum disease. Routine cleanings also help remove stains from the surface area of the teeth.

Periodontal Maintenance

A regular cleaning is not sufficient for patients who have bone loss, deep gum pockets, bleeding gums or exposed root surfaces. Routine cleanings are also not appropriate for patients who have had periodontal surgery or root planning to treat periodontal surgery or root planning to treat periodontal disease. For patients who experience these conditions, periodontal maintenance scaling is needed to maintain healthy gums and ensure good bone health. The periodontal maintenance procedure includes the removal of plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. The plaque and tartar removal will take place down the length of each tooth to where the root, gum and bone meet. Rough areas of the roots are also smoothed, if needed. The depths of any pockets are closely monitored and inflamed pockets may be cleaned with an antibacterial medicine.

Most insurance providers consider periodontal maintenance a basic service and apply to your annual deductible. Periodontal maintenance is usually performed every three to four months. The frequency will be determined by how quickly plaque and tartar accumulate, the presence of bleeding or inflammation, the status of your present condition, how well you are able to care for your teeth and gums at home and any other risk factors you may have.

The presence of bacteria in your mouth can lead to inflammation, infection and cause other serious health issues such as a stroke, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory disease. Periodontal maintenance is highly effective. It is critical to follow your dentist’s instructions for the maintenance stage in order to prevent the risk of recurrence. This will include good oral hygiene and avoiding the use of any tobacco products.

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