Perio Maintenance
If you have gum disease and have had scaling and root planning (aka deep cleaning), the regular cleanings that will be recommended to you after those treatment are call periodontal maintenance therapy. Periodontal maintenance is more complex than a normal cleaning or “prophy”. Patients who have periodontal disease need a deeper cleaning because they have pockets, spaces between teeth and gums, deeper than those found in a person with healthy gums
Appointments
In addition to good oral hygiene at home with brushing and flossing twice a day, you will need more frequent visits (usually every 3-4 months) than other patients. This is due to the gum pockets recede and periodontal disease makes it more difficult for you to clean plague from your teeth, especially below the gum line.
Will my treatment be cover by my insurance?
Dental plans vary. Some cover 2-4 times perio maintenance cleaning a year. You need to be aware of the exclusions and limitations in your plan but should not let those factors determine your treatment decisions. Receiving the appropriate treatment will save you money in the long run.