Periodontal Maintenance or Supportative Therapy (Cleaning)
A periodontal maintenance or supportative therapy program is a vital ongoing "cleaning" treatment usually performed following active periodontal treatment such as scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery or implants. Once active therapy has been completed a maintenance schedule will be established to control the periodontal diseases. Maintaining this program of conscientious home care and regularly scheduled therapy visits with your general dentist and Dr. Connor will provide an excellect chance of keeping your teeth and perserving your overall oral health.
As you have learned, you are susceptible to gum disease. Remember gum disease is caused by bacteria that develops into a coating called plaque. This plaque produces toxins, or poisons, which constantly attack your gums and teeth. Unless the bacteria 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 from two to four months after your last professional cleaning. Therefore, a dental professional must check for hidden problems and remove the hardened plaque at time intervals appropriate for you so that your teeth and gums stay healthy.
What Happens at a Maitenance/Supportative Therapy Appointment?
- Discussion of any changes in your medical or oral health
- Examination of your mouth for any abnormal changes
- Measurement of pocket depths around teeth
- Assessment of home care and updated training to attack areas of concern
- Removal of bacteria plaque and tarter
- Radiographs to evaluate bone structure , teeth and implants
- Application of medications to assist in protecting the teeth and to treat sensitivity
How Often Should You Have Supportive Periodontal Care Visits?
Your individual periodontal condition is the deciding factor. The interval between your supportive periodontal care or maintenance appointments might be as often as every few weeks or as frequent as every six months. Everyone's situation is different. The frequency of your visits will be influenced by:
- Type of periodontal disease you have
- Types of active periodontal treatment you have had
- Your response to treatment
- The rate of growth of bacteria
What About My General Dentist?
Your dentist and Dr. Connor are a team to provide you with the best possible care, by combining their experience to provide the best maintenance plan for you. As a member of the team each keeps the other informed about your oral health. Although Dr. Connor will 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 tooth decay is found during a maintenance visit, we will notify your general dentist of the need for treatment. Your general dentist is primarily responsible for your overall dental health, including such dental needs as restoring new or recurrent cavities or making changes in crowns or bridges.
Our goal is to control your periodontal disease, the major cause of tooth loss in adults — and keep your natural teeth for your lifetime — carefully and conscientiously follow the guidelines of the maintenance program that Dr. Connor 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.