| ✅ Reviewed by Dr. Tom McCawley | 🕒 Reading time: three minutes |
Periodontal maintenance and regular dental cleanings both remove plaque and tartar, but they are not the same type of care. Regular cleanings are generally preventive, while periodontal maintenance is ongoing care for patients who have been treated for periodontitis. At McCawley Center for Laser Periodontics & Implants, we provide ongoing periodontal care after gum disease treatment.
Regular Cleanings Are Preventive Care
A regular dental cleaning, also called a prophylaxis, is preventive care intended to help maintain healthy teeth and gums. During the cleaning, plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth, including buildup that cannot be removed with regular brushing and flossing at home.
Unlike a deep cleaning or periodontal maintenance, a regular cleaning does not involve cleaning deep periodontal pockets or extensively cleaning the root surfaces below the gumline. It is intended for patients with generally healthy gums rather than those who need treatment or ongoing care for periodontitis.
What Happens During Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal maintenance is designed for people who have been treated for periodontitis. Once active gum disease has been brought under control, maintenance visits help preserve the results of treatment and monitor for signs that the disease is becoming active again.
A periodontal maintenance visit may include:
- Removing plaque and tartar above and below the gumline
- Cleaning areas where periodontal pockets remain
- Checking the gums for bleeding or inflammation
- Monitoring periodontal pocket depths and attachment levels as needed
- Evaluating areas that have previously lost bone or gum support
- Reviewing home care and individual risk factors
The exact care provided can vary based on your periodontal health and what we find during the visit.
Deep Cleaning vs. Periodontal Maintenance
The terms can be confusing, but periodontal maintenance and a deep cleaning serve different purposes. A “deep cleaning” generally refers to scaling and root planing, a nonsurgical treatment used to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline and clean the root surfaces when periodontitis is active.
Periodontal maintenance comes after active periodontal treatment. Its purpose is to maintain periodontal health and identify signs of recurrence rather than repeat the initial treatment at every visit. If gum disease becomes active again in a specific area, additional treatment may be necessary.
Why Can’t I Just Have a Regular Cleaning?
After you have had periodontitis, your gums and supporting bone have already been affected by the disease. Even when treatment successfully controls the infection, you remain at risk for recurrence.
Periodontal maintenance addresses areas that require closer monitoring and cleaning after gum disease treatment. It also allows us to monitor periodontal pockets, bleeding, inflammation, and other changes that could indicate the disease is becoming active again.
How Often Do You Need Periodontal Maintenance?
The schedule depends on your periodontal health and risk of recurrence. Many patients receive periodontal maintenance every three to four months, although some may have longer intervals depending on their individual needs.
Factors that can affect your maintenance schedule include:
- The severity of your previous gum disease
- Remaining periodontal pocket depths
- How well plaque is controlled at home
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Diabetes and other relevant health factors
- Bleeding or inflammation during maintenance visits
- How stable your periodontal health remains over time
We recommend a schedule based on your individual periodontal condition rather than using the same interval for every patient.
Keep Your Gum Health on Track
A regular cleaning helps maintain oral health in patients without a history of periodontitis, while periodontal maintenance provides ongoing care after gum disease treatment. Staying consistent with your recommended maintenance schedule helps us monitor previously affected areas and address signs of recurrence early.
At McCawley Center for Laser Periodontics & Implants, we can evaluate your periodontal health and recommend a maintenance schedule based on your individual needs.
To schedule an appointment at our periodontal office in Ft. Lauderdale, call (954) 807-4829 or visit us at 800 East Broward Blvd #706 Fort Lauderdale, FL.
FAQ
Patients with a history of periodontitis generally require ongoing supportive periodontal care. Even after successful treatment, the history of periodontal disease and risk of recurrence remain, so continued monitoring and professional maintenance are important.
Yes. Periodontal maintenance can be performed at a general dental office or a periodontal practice. Where you receive your maintenance may depend on the severity of your previous gum disease, your current periodontal health, and whether your dentist and periodontist are coordinating your ongoing care.
Many dental insurance plans provide coverage for periodontal maintenance, but benefits vary by plan. Your plan may also limit how often periodontal maintenance is covered or have different coverage requirements than it does for regular dental cleanings.
