What is the difference between SPT and a Perio Prophy?
Supportive Periodontal Therapy (SPT) is a maintenance check following either root debridement or gum surgery. Your pockets are probed and special attention is paid to those areas that had deep pre-existing pockets or bone loss prior to treatment. The goal of the SPT visit is to maintain those pockets at depths no greater than 4 mm with no bleeding. Localized laser treatment may be part of the SPT. The Periodontal Prophylaxis (Perio Prophy) is a preventive procedure that is recommended for patients with worsening pocket depths or inflammation. The goal of the Perio Prophy is to prevent a borderline gum condition from becoming active periodontal disease resulting in bone loss and requiring root debridement or gum surgery.
