Abbott Family Dentistry, LLC

If you are told that you need periodontal maintenance visits you have been told that you have or have had periodontal disease.  Periodontal maintenance visits are meant to be done after scaling and root planning (deep cleanings) have already been done. Periodontal maintenance visits are usually every 3 months but can vary depending on the patients' needs.  These types of cleanings are different and usually take longer that a prophy.  A prophy is a preventive cleaning that primarily addresses the tooth above the gum and the root surface just slightly below the gum level.  A periodontal maintenance visit goes as far below the gum as needed, scaling and root planning is redone if needed, and sometimes you need to get numb for the cleaning.  It takes a long time for gum disease to heal and you need to both follow your dentists advise on the periodontal maintenance frequency and on how to take care of your teeth at home or the infection might not respond as we hope to the scaling and root planning that was done.  Failure to follow the recommended treatment advise and home care instructions can result in loss of teeth.