The staff is wonderful, they actually care about their clients and are always looking for ways to work with your budget and schedule. When you walk in, the front desk is friendly and always greets you with smiles. The Tempe dentists are professional and good at their work but also friendly and talkative.
- Joseph Hernandez
5.0
What is Periodontal Maintenance?
A three month periodontal maintenance visit is critically timed to disrupt the bacteria in pockets greater than 4 millimeters in order to disable the destructive process at its critical stage. This critical stage is when the bacteria and their poisons do the most harm to the supporting structures namely the periodontal attachment.
If you have periodontal disease, you may require root planing to remove disease deposits from the roots of your teeth. Other treatment, including antibiotics or surgery, may be required. After the disease process is under control, a regular cleaning is not appropriate anymore. In the care provided by a Tempe dentist, AZ, special and continuous gum and bone care procedures will be necessary, also known as periodontal maintenance to keep your mouth healthy. Three months after treatment the bacteria that causes periodontal disease re‐establishes.
Following root planing, you can expect to notice less redness, less bleeding and less swelling of your gum tissue. Your mouth will taste better and feel better. Home care eliminating the bacteria on a daily basis, Fluoride toothpaste and continuing on a three or four month periodontal maintenance will keep your gums healthy.
- Gum and bone examination (periodontal probing around each tooth to check for bone loss);
- Review of home care;
- Isolated scaling and root planing, as needed;
- Placing Arestin (antibiotic), as needed;
- Gums and pocket irrigation with medicine, as needed;
- Polishing of teeth as needed.
Typically, an interval of three or four months between appointments is effective. 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. Our goal is to get you back on a healthy six month maintenance program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Periodontal maintenance is a specialized deep-cleaning appointment for patients who’ve been treated for gum disease. It targets harmful plaque and bacteria beneath the gumline, helping to prevent recurrence of disease and preserving gum and bone health.
Unlike a standard prophylaxis, periodontal maintenance includes cleaning below the gum line, assessing pocket depths, and monitoring bone and attachment levels. It’s more in-depth and tailored specifically for patients with a history of periodontal disease.
After undergoing deep cleaning or other periodontal therapy, regular maintenance helps ensure that your gums remain healthy. It prevents bacteria from rebuilding in the pockets and helps maintain the results of prior treatment by controlling inflammation and stabilizing your periodontal condition.
During your visit, the hygienist or dentist will do a detailed cleaning (both above and below the gums), measure periodontal pocket depths, remove plaque and tartar, and assess for any signs of disease progression or inflammation.
Yes. Regular maintenance helps manage periodontal disease, preventing the gums and bone from deteriorating further. Keeping bacterial levels under control supports long-term tooth stability and helps reduce future risk of tooth loss.
Most patients feel only mild discomfort. Because treatment goes deeper than a regular cleaning, you may experience some sensitivity or soreness afterward. However, your Tempe dental team will guide you in managing any discomfort.
Maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing twice daily, flossing, and using interdental cleaning devices. If recommended, use antimicrobial mouth rinses. Consistency helps prevent bacteria buildup and supports the benefits of your maintenance visits.
Skipping maintenance can lead to recurring gum inflammation, deepening of the gum pockets, and bone loss. Over time, this may worsen the periodontal disease, increase the risk of tooth looseness, or even lead to tooth loss.
You can schedule a maintenance visit by calling our Tempe office at (480) 967-8763. We'll schedule regular appointments based on your treatment plan to help maintain your gum health in the long term.