Periodontal Maintenance
Stuart, FL
Many terms used by our office are hard to understand by the patient as they seem foreign or odd. One such example is periodontal maintenance. This terminology is used to describe treatment for a patient who has periodontal disease. When this disease occurs, it requires root planing or scaling to help remove deposits from the teeth as well as the roots of the teeth.
Additional treatment, such as surgery, may also be required. Once the disease is under control, gum and bone care will be required, a treatment that is referred to by our office as periodontal maintenance. Here at Colin M. McKinney, DMD, we can help with this treatment need, helping you to maintain overall quality oral health.
Frequency of Treatment
When you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, it is important to begin the treatment process. Plaque and tartar buildup along with bacteria must be removed from below the gumline. This process is completed with scaling and root planing. With the treatment, bacteria growth is disrupted. However, some bacteria can remain.
This is why several visits may need to be scheduled to ensure all bacteria is removed. A portion of bacteria can stay behind and can reproduce over time, which leads to the same issue.
Periodontal Maintenance
Unfortunately, there is no cure for periodontal disease. However, treatment can help to manage and control the condition. Periodontal maintenance is essential in this process. We can provide you with such care, including soft tissue management and non-surgical approaches to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy.
Usually around three or so months after your treatment, bacteria will begin to reform. The process of bacteria growth must be disabled. The overall goal is to protect the supporting structures of the teeth. By working to remove bacteria, the support of the teeth remains and stays as healthy as possible.
When you wait longer than a three-month time frame for periodontal maintenance, inflammation can occur. Discomfort may be present and additional treatment needed to get you back on track to good oral health.
Preventing Bone Loss
Periodontal disease is a condition that can cause bone loss which results in the loss of teeth or teeth become loose. When you begin to lose your teeth, other problems occur, such as difficulty eating or speaking. To avoid losing your teeth too early, it is important to have your teeth cleaned and checked regularly. This way, periodontal disease will be discovered early, if present and the treatment process can begin.
On top of bone loss, teeth issues can result in other medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Our team can help to ensure your overall health by removing plaque and bacteria that grow below the gumline via our periodontal disease treatment.
Schedule a regular cleaning and examination today to have your teeth reviewed and checked for any periodontal disease issues. For more information about periodontal disease, treatment, and maintenance, call the experienced professionals here at Colin M. McKinney, DMD at (772) 266-2223 today! |
