Periodontal Maintenance

Supportive Periodontal Care

After Dr. Brayer or Dr. Al-Aboosi has completed the active phase of periodontal treatment, your periodontal disease will be under control. He will provide you with a personalized maintenance program of care to keep your 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. Brayer or Al-Aboosi will give you an excellent chance of keeping your teeth for your lifetime.

Who should perform supportive periodontal therapy?

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 Drs. Brayer or Al-Aboosi needs to oversee your care. Together, you, your general dentist and Drs. Brayer or Al-Aboosi will work out the most effective schedule for your supportive periodontal care.

Your maintenance/supportive periodontal care visit may include:

  • discussion of any changes in your health history
  • examination of your mouth tissues for abnormal changes
  • measurement of the depth of pockets around your teeth
  • assessment of your oral hygiene habits and provision of instruction
  • removal of bacterial plaque and tartar
  • x-ray film studies to evaluate your teeth and the bone supporting your teeth
  • examination of your teeth for decay and other dental problems
  • checkup on the way your teeth fit together when you bite
  • application or prescription of medications to reduce tooth sensitivity or other problems you may have.

How often should you have supportive periodontal care visits?

Your periodontal condition is the deciding factor. The interval between your supportive periodontal care (spc) visits might be as often as every few months or as frequent as every six months. Everyone’s situation is different. The frequency of your supportive care visits will be influenced by:

  • the type of periodontal disease you have
  • the type of periodontal treatment you have
  • your response to treatment
  • your rate of plaque growth
  • your personal commitment to good oral care at home.