Periondontal Maintenance
Protect The Smile That You Worked So Hard For

Learn more about our Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Periodontal Maintenance service below…

Periodontal Maintenance

Periodontal maintenance therapy is a program designed to prevent the progression of periodontal (gum) disease in the gum tissue and bone that supports the teeth. Periodontal maintenance is necessary for patients who have been diagnosed with periodontal disease.

Maintenance visits can help to prevent additional problems in the future, such as further bone and tooth loss. Treating the disease in its early stages can help to save a patient from not only oral and overall health issues, but also in a financial aspect.

Why is periodontal maintenance necessary?

Gum disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. Toxins produced by the bacteria causes our bodies to destroy the bone that supports the teeth. If plaque remains on the gums and teeth, it can harden and form calculus (tartar) that can increase periodontal problems.

Even patients dedicated to good oral hygiene will be unable to completely prevent the formation of all calculus on the teeth. Calculus will form when the minerals in the saliva harden, or calcify, as plaque on the teeth. Plaque is soft and sticky, and is continually forming. It is important to ensure proper, thorough brushing and flossing on a daily basis to remove the plaque before it has the chance to solidify into calculus.

Flossing and brushing will aid in keeping calculus formation to a minimum, but regular maintenance is needed to professionally remove what has accumulated. During a maintenance cleaning, the hygienist will evaluate and record a patient’s periodontal pocket depths and check for hidden periodontal problems.

How often do I need a maintenance visit?

A periodontist will recommend how often a patient should have a periodontal maintenance visit. The frequency will be determined by the type of periodontal disease, and treatment a patient may have had in the past, along with how a patient has responded to those individual treatments, and how quickly they accumulate plaque. More importantly is the dedication of the patient to continued good oral hygiene.

What A Difference A Confident Smile Can Make…