Periodontal Maintenance In Philadelphia

What Is Periodontal Maintenance?

Periodontal maintenance is a specialized cleaning and monitoring program performed after active periodontal treatment to prevent the return of gum disease. These appointments are typically scheduled every 3-4 months and include professional plaque removal, pocket depth measurements, and comprehensive oral health assessments.

Understanding Your Periodontal Care

After completion of the active phase of your periodontal treatment in our clinic, your mouth will be much more healthy than before. In order to prevent the return of gum disease our team will recommend a personalized maintenance program to keep your mouth and 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 Drs. Laudenbach, Slauch and Bhavsar will give you the best chance of keeping your teeth for your lifetime.

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Why Is Periodontal Maintenance Important?

As you have learned, you are susceptible to gum disease. And, you have probably learned, too, the main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film constantly forming 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 help minimize calculus formation but cannot completely prevent bacterial plaque accumulation in treated periodontal pockets. Professional periodontal maintenance removes hardened deposits and monitors healing progress to catch potential problems early. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of disease recurrence and tooth loss.

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 your teeth and gums stay healthy.

Who Should Perform Periodontal Maintenance?

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 our team will need to oversee your care. Our team will work with you and your dentist to recommend the most effective schedule for your periodontal care.

What to Expect During Your Maintenance Visit

Your periodontal maintenance visit provides comprehensive monitoring and professional care to maintain your oral health. Our thorough approach ensures early detection of any changes and maintains the results of your periodontal treatment.

• Discussion of any changes in your health history and current medications
• Examination of your mouth tissues for abnormal changes or signs of disease recurrence
• Measurement of pocket depths around your teeth to monitor healing progress
• Assessment of your oral hygiene habits and personalized instruction
• Professional removal of bacterial plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces
• X-ray studies when needed to evaluate teeth and supporting bone structures
• Examination for tooth decay and other dental problems requiring attention
• Evaluation of your bite and how your teeth fit together

These comprehensive assessments help our team monitor your periodontal health and coordinate care with your general dentist for optimal long-term results.

How Often Should You Have Periodontal Maintenance Visits?

Your periodontal condition is the deciding factor. The interval between your periodontal maintenance visits might be as often as every few weeks or as frequent as every six months. Everyone’s situation is different.

Most patients with a history of periodontal disease benefit from maintenance visits every 3-4 months rather than the traditional 6-month schedule. This increased frequency allows for better plaque control and early intervention when needed. Your individual schedule will be determined based on your specific risk factors and healing response.

The frequency of your maintenance care visits will be influenced by the type of periodontal disease you have, the type of periodontal treatment you have received, your response to treatment, your rate of plaque growth, and your personal commitment to good oral care at home.

Coordinated Care with Your General Dentist

Your dentist and our team work together 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 we 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 but complement your overall oral health care. Comprehensive oral examinations and routine dental care remain essential components of your oral health maintenance program.

If our team detects tooth decay during a maintenance visit, we 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.

Protect Your Oral Health Investment with Laudenbach Periodontics

To prevent 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 our team 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 while keeping dental costs down by preventing future problems.

Our experienced team at Laudenbach Periodontics serves patients throughout Cherry Hill, Villanova, Chestnut Hill, Haverford, Gladwyne, Newtown Square, Broomall, and surrounding Philadelphia communities. Dr. Jay Laudenbach, Dr. Robert Slauch, and Dr. Ishita Bhavsar combine decades of periodontal experience to provide personalized maintenance care designed for your unique needs. We offer flexible payment options to make ongoing periodontal maintenance accessible and affordable. Your commitment to maintenance therapy is your commitment to better oral health. Contact us today to schedule your periodontal maintenance appointment and protect your smile for years to come.