What is a periodontal maintenance procedure?
A periodontal maintenance procedure is not the same treatment as a regular cleaning even though a hygienist may perform both services. After a patient has been treated for periodontal disease, either with root planning or surgery, a standard cleaning addresses scaling and polishing above the gumline, a person who has periodontal disease requires below gumline maintenance. Typically an interval of three months between appointments is effective in maintaining. As in many other chronic conditions, successful long-term control of the disease and prevention of tooth loss depends on continual, and possibly lifetime maintenance.
