Difference Between Routine Dental Cleaning and Periodontal Maintenance
Posted on 4/26/2021 by Elmwood Dental Group
At Elmwood Dental Group, Dr. Gomes and Dr. Patel frequently hear their clients asking about the difference between a routine dental cleaning and a periodontal maintenance. Both these procedures are quite different and they need to be thoroughly understood so that clients can make an informed decision about their dental health.
Difference Between Basic Cleaning and Periodontal Maintenance
A routine dental cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, is a purely preventive procedure that is performed on healthy teeth to ensure their continued health. These people do not suffer from inflamed and bleeding gums and bad breath and hence only need to make dental appointments with us on a six-monthly basis.
On the other hand, periodontal maintenance involves the treatment of active gum disease or patients who have been treated previously for gum disease. This treatment is typically performed on people who suffer from moderate or chronic forms of periodontal disease.
Periodontal maintenance involves a much deeper cleaning than that performed in routine dental care. Since bacteria plaque has entered deep into the gum pockets, we may need to exercise more aggressive therapeutic and surgical methods to get rid of the infection.
People who have been scheduled periodontal maintenance need to have a dental appointment every two to four months.
Reasons Behind More Frequent Dental Visits for Periodontal Maintenance
Although chronic periodontitis does not have an exact cure, it can be managed with proper periodontal care. Hence, a two to four-month interval is not randomly given; it has a sound justification.
The bacteria that causes periodontal disease can start forming colonies in as little as three weeks to three months after your periodontal maintenance session. To fight the infection, it becomes necessary once again to reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth. Research shows that people who have periodontal disease and who do not keep their periodontal maintenance appointments are, at least, twice as likely to lose their teeth as compared to people who make their appointments.
Although periodontal maintenance is a more expensive procedure, it is the only minimally-invasive way to eliminate harmful oral bacteria and treat gum disease. If you do not take it seriously, gum disease can lead to health issues like heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and complications during birth.
If you have gum disease, do not wait for it to get worse. Schedule an appointment with us by calling at (833) 432-1457 and get yourself treated today.
At Elmwood Dental Group, Dr. Gomes and Dr. Patel frequently hear their clients asking about the difference between a routine dental cleaning and a periodontal maintenance. Both these procedures are quite different and they need to be thoroughly understood so that clients can make an informed decision about their dental health.