Periodontal Maintenance

As part of your comprehensive treatment plan for periodontal disease, the team of board-certified specialists at Ueno Center Dental Specialists in Campbell, California, serving San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos and surrounding areas, offers expert periodontal maintenance services. Your personalized periodontal maintenance plan helps prevent the recurrence of gum disease and protect your overall health. To schedule your appointment, call the office or request an appointment online today.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a progressive dental condition that begins as inflammation in the gums and can progress to bone and tooth loss. Periodontal disease is the result of ongoing infections within the gums that affect the periodontal tissues of the teeth.

In the beginning stages of periodontal disease, plaque forms on the surface of your teeth and hardens into tartar, which harbors bacteria and breeds infection. Periodontal disease begins as gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums due to infection. Untreated gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, which causes deterioration of the bone and roots of the teeth.

The experts at Ueno Center Dental Specialists offer comprehensive, advanced treatment for all stages of periodontal disease. A vital part of your care includes periodontal maintenance.

What is periodontal maintenance?

Periodontal maintenance is an essential part of your periodontal disease treatment plan. It helps stop the progression of the disease, prevents a recurrence, and protects your overall health.

Periodontal maintenance comes after the active phase of your personalized treatment for periodontal disease. Periodontal maintenance takes place every one to six months (most commonly every three to four months), starting after your periodontal disease is under control.

Once you’ve had periodontal disease, you’re much more susceptible to bacterial infections, gum disease, and the resurgence of periodontal deterioration. Periodontal maintenance visits are part of your ongoing dental health plan, which includes intentional home care and regular appointments with your general dentist.

What does periodontal maintenance entail?

The team at Ueno Center Dental Specialists works with your general dentist to develop a periodontal maintenance schedule that works well for you. Typically, the more severe your periodontal disease was at the beginning of treatment, the more often you need periodontal maintenance.

Your periodontal maintenance visit may involve:

• Updating your health history
• Assessing for any new decay or changes to your oral health
• Measuring your gum line and any pockets around your teeth
• Evaluating the effectiveness of your current hygiene routine
• Removing bacterial plaque and tartar
• Administering local antibiotics, such as Arestin™
• Taking diagnostic images
• Applying or prescribing medications to improve sensitivity
• Updating your periodontal treatment plan
• Taking an OralDNA test 
• Prescribing Perio Protect trays 

Your visit may also include a discussion about any future work you may need to improve your oral health. Your periodontist updates your general dentist and coordinates your care so that you have the best chance at overall health and wellness.

For expert periodontal maintenance, call the office or schedule an appointment online with Ueno Center Dental Specialists today.