Periodontal "Perio" Maintenance
PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE
What It Is • What to Expect • Why It’s Different
What Is Periodontal Maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance (also called a “perio maintenance” or PM appointment) is a specialized cleaning schedule for patients who have been diagnosed with gum disease. After gum therapy—such as scaling and root planing—ongoing maintenance is essential to prevent bacteria from returning and to keep gum health stable.
Perio maintenance is recommended every 3–4 months because periodontal bacteria repopulate quickly below the gumline.
What You Can Expect at Your Appointment:
- Comprehensive periodontal evaluation to monitor pocket depths and gum stability
- Removal of plaque, tartar, and bacteria both above and below the gumline
- Irrigation or localized medicaments if needed to reduce inflammation
- Polishing of the teeth (if appropriate)
- Oral hygiene review & personalized recommendations
- Progress tracking compared to prior visits
How Perio Maintenance Differs From a Regular Cleaning:
|
Regular Hygiene Cleaning |
Periodontal Maintenance |
|
Preventive care for healthy gums |
Ongoing therapy for patients with gum disease |
|
Focuses on above-gumline cleaning |
Includes cleaning below the gumline to manage active bacterial sites |
|
Typically every 6 months |
Every 3–4 months for disease control |
|
Does not track periodontal pocketing beyond routine screenings |
Includes full periodontal charting and monitoring |
Why It Matters:
Periodontal disease does not go away on its own. Regular maintenance helps:
- Keep gums healthy
- Prevent bone loss
- Reduce inflammation
- Protect your overall health
- Maintain results from previous treatment
We look forward to helping you keep your smile healthy and stable!