Periodontal Treatment: Maintenance Cleanings

In general, most people are familiar with the standard dental cleaning they receive when going in for your check-up. These cleanings are also referred to as a prophylaxis or prophy. Dental check-ups and exams are generally done every six months or as often as permitted by your dental insurance with a dentist near me in Lincoln, NE or nearby. But, if you have periodontal disease present, the frequency of your visits will be at increased intervals. If you have periodontal disease, this means that you have developed periodontal “pockets.” Therefore, a periodontal treatment in the form of a deep cleaning is necessary. 

In our article we’ll answer the following commonly asked questions:

A deep cleaning, which is sometimes referred to as SRP, short for scaling and root planing, is a cleaning that gets below the gum line. A deep cleaning helps eliminate bacteria present in the form of plaque and tartar. If not controlled, this bacteria can grow and multiply at a rapid rate leading to multiple problems. These problems could include but are not limited to, chronic inflammation. 

Once you complete the initial deep cleaning process, your hygienist and dentist in Lincoln, NE will evaluate your progress. When there is documented improvement, we will recommend periodontal treatment in the form of maintenance cleanings at intervals for both your condition of periodontal disease and other health conditions already present. Some conditions included are diabetes and heart disease. Periodontal maintenance cleanings, unlike regular cleanings, are more involved. Periodontal maintenance cleanings specifically target the periodontal “pockets.” These deep cleanings help maintain the health of the bone and gum. It is essential, however, that you make your dentist in Lincoln, NE aware of all of your medical conditions. Ultimately, what happens in one area of the body can, in turn, affect another. Clear, concise, and effective communication is critical for improving your overall health and well-being.  

Keeping a strict schedule with any type of periodontal maintenance is vital. Excellent home care is also critical. This includes flossing and brushing. Together, all of these things will help maintain your bone, gums, and, ultimately, your teeth. It is essential to know that periodontal maintenance cleanings are cleanings done at intervals, which are more frequent than routine cleanings. Typically, these cleanings are done somewhere between three to four times annually. With more frequent cleanings, we can better manage periodontal disease. Ultimately, the end goal is to put periodontal disease into remission. But, you can’t rely on your dentist in Lincoln, NE to do all the work, it require hard work on your part, too. 

Although dental terminology can be intimidating and confusing, don’t get too caught up in it. It’s imperative to realize that the health of your mouth is our priority. Let us do the hard work; leave the long, hard to understand words to us! What we want you to know is that all of us at South Lincoln Family Dentistry take your health seriously. We will do what it takes to make sure you understand what kind of treatment is necessary, how many appointments will be needed, and ultimately, make sure you feel comfortable with any treatment we have suggested. What about the cost? We’ll be sure to explain that, too!

We want to get you back to where you need to be! This means that even if you need a deep cleaning followed by periodontal maintenance cleanings, we’ve got you covered. One of the most vital things to take away from any dental visit after hearing the term “periodontal disease” is to schedule any necessary appointments. Consequently, it’s critical that you attend your scheduled appointments, AND be sure to follow up after every visit with thorough home care. While the hygienist and dentist in Lincoln, NE can do his/her job in the clinic, their job isn’t fully finished without your commitment and hard work. We understand that trying to make sense of everything involved in dentistry can be complicated; we promise to help lighten any load you might feel along the way. So, whether you have questions about the treatment plan, finances, or anything else, we are here for YOU!

Regular, Annual Cleanings (Prophylaxis) 

Frequency: Completed in one visit. Typically, every six months or as frequently as allowed by your dental insurance provider. 

Surfaces Cleaned: All visible surfaces, which includes the surfaces in between the teeth.

Insurance Coverage: Annual cleanings are typically a covered service with any dental carrier.

Gum Pocket measurements: Less than 4mm. Gum pocket measurements are measurements that your hygienist takes at your routine check-up to ensure you have not developed periodontal disease. Often, you might hear these measurements referred to as “probe depths.” 

Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing) with Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings

Frequency:  An initial deep cleaning will require two visits.

The left side will be completed at one visit.

The right side completed at a subsequent follow-up visit.

Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings are usually done 3-4 times per year, and your hygienist and dentist in Lincoln, NE determine that frequency. Periodontal maintenance cleanings are based on several factors, including how quickly tartar and plaque build-up, inflammation, and the stability of the present condition.

Once a deep cleaning has been performed, and periodontal maintenance cleanings have begun, a great home care plan is vital to maintaining your mouth’s overall health.

Surfaces Cleaned: All surfaces between the teeth, any visible surfaces, and any periodontal pockets are not visible to the human eye.

Insurance coverage: Periodontal Maintenance is generally considered a basic service, and is likely covered. Also, something to keep in mind is that periodontal maintenance cleanings might be subject to a yearly deductible. The amount of this deductible varies per plan and will be specified by your dental insurance provider.

Gum Pocket Measurements: Greater than or deeper than 4mm.

Is periodontal maintenance needed or necessary? 

Periodontal maintenance is used to help control irritation and inflammation. Regular cleanings are preventive and periodontal maintenance helps treat the disease in its current, active state. If periodontal cleanings are recommended, you must listen. Heed advice from trained medical professionals and follow their recommendations.

What is periodontal maintenance & treatment?

If you have periodontal disease, it is highly likely that you will need a deep cleaning. Deep cleaning is also commonly called scaling and root planing. Typically, this deep cleaning will be followed up with by ensuring that you see your dentist in Lincoln, NE more frequently for periodontal maintenance to help control periodontal disease.

Do periodontal cleanings hurt?

For some, in particular, those whose periodontal pockets are not deep, they generally experience little to no discomfort during or after the procedure. On occasion, however, some patients have said that they may experience mild discomfort during or after the procedure.

What is the cost for a Deep Cleaning or Periodontal Disease Treatment?

The cost of gum disease treatment, typically a deep cleaning in Lincoln, Nebraska, generally is around $1200, which includes the entire mouth.

How often will I need periodontal treatment in the form of perio maintenance?

The frequency of necessary periodontal treatment in the form of maintenance cleanings is based upon the current condition of your disease. The frequency can vary, however, and could range from every six months to as frequent as every few weeks.

Now that periodontal maintenance cleaning information is clear, the number one thing you can do for yourself is to follow through. If you have periodontal disease or you’ve been told you have periodontal disease, don’t be embarrassed or ashamed. At South Lincoln Family Dentistry, our dentists near me in Lincoln NE and their teams take your health seriously, and we want to see you smile again. We are here to help. So, rest assured that we will be by your side every single step of the way. It’s our promise!

How often should you have periodontal maintenance cleanings?

It is important to see your dental provider regularly to monitor your condition and avoid further progression of the disease. Your provider will help you decide how often you need to be seen to maintain the bone levels and control inflammation in the gums depending on how advanced periodontal disease is for you.

There are many factors that influence how often patients should be seen such as smoking, genetics and the presence of other inflammatory medical conditions. Your dental providers will work with you to help prevent your condition from progressing. Some patients may be seen two to three times every year, and others may need to be seen four times a year.

Is teeth cleaning periodontal maintenance?

Maintenance cleanings are usually performed every 3-4 months to help control the bacteria that are responsible for creating inflammation in the gum tissue. By disrupting bacteria at regular intervals, we can reduce the body’s need to create inflammation.

Your hygienist can access the spaces between the tooth and gum where the bacteria are more concentrated and destructive and thoroughly debride these areas, which will keep your disease state inactive. Insurance usually covers periodontal treatments differently than preventive cleanings, so patients often have small co-pays for this procedure.

In short, regular dental cleanings and periodontal maintenance cleanings are not the same. Besides being done more frequently than routine cleanings, periodontal maintenance cleanings are done below the gum line to ensure that plaque and bacteria are removed.

Do I need periodontal maintenance forever?

Once you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, this diagnosis stays with you for the lifetime of your dentition. By managing the condition, however, with regular maintenance cleanings, good home care habits and lifestyle changes, in many cases it is possible to keep the inflammation under control, and keep the disease state inactive.

The information on this page
was written by Dr. Christine Bergman.

This gentle dentist in Lincoln, NE says: “I am extremely privileged to be part of this amazing profession. I find there is nothing that is more rewarding than helping my patients learn how to care for their smiles in addition to becoming healthier overall. I feel patients deserve personalized dental care. Therefore, quality dental care is my number one goal. While providing top-notch dental care for you, I want your dental experience to be positive and comfortable.”

You can schedule with this Lincoln, NE dentist, or her partners, online 24/7 at a South Lincoln Family Dentistry location near you. This “dentist near me” serves the local communities close to Lincoln. Some of the communities include Roca, Bennet, Firth, Crete, and Hickman!