Periodontal Maintenance and Treatments
Periodontal Cleanings
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is a common dental condition that affects millions of people. Understanding what it is, how to treat it, and how to prevent the condition from worsening can make a significant difference in your oral health. The treatment may seem intimidating, but Dr. Lisa A. Muff in Easton, Pennsylvania, has decades of experience helping patients with this disease and improving their oral health.
What is Periodontal Disease?
There are two primary types of periodontal disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. The former is the milder of the two. Periodontal disease is an infection that affects the gum and jawbone, generating significant issues for your oral health. It causes pockets to form between your teeth and gums, and the worse the disease gets, the deeper the pockets become.
Poor oral hygiene isn’t the only potential cause. Others include — but aren’t limited to — heart disease, smoking, genetics, and diabetes. There’s currently no cure for periodontal disease, but proper treatment and changes in daily oral health habits can make a positive difference.
Symptoms:
Symptoms worsen as periodontal disease progresses. You may notice early symptoms such as bleeding gums when you floss or brush. Gums may also appear inflamed or feel sore. As symptoms exacerbate, you may become aware of additional indicators, including pus, loose teeth, receding gums and horrible breath.
What is Periodontal Maintenance?
Performed by a hygienist or dentist, periodontal maintenance is a treatment for periodontal disease. It involves teeth cleaning that goes beyond the standard dental cleaning, going into the pockets to remove built-up plaque and tartar down the roots of the teeth. This scaling and root planing process is also known as a deep cleaning.
- Teeth Scaling: Teeth scaling removes plaque and tartar from your teeth. This treatment targets areas of your teeth, from your gum line to the top of the teeth crowns.
- Root Planing: Root planing is the second part of the treatment for periodontal disease. Similar to teeth scaling, it also involves clearing tartar and plaque from teeth but targets the gum line to the tip of the roots. It gets deep into the pockets created by periodontal disease, removing bacteria in the process.
- Full Mouth Debridement: A full-mouth debridement involves removing an extensive amount of tartar and plaque buildup from the teeth. Although similar to scaling and root planing, it is a treatment for the most severe cases of buildup that prevent the dentist or hygienist from getting a better overall view of the condition of the teeth and gums.
- Regular Teeth Cleaning (or Prophylaxis): It’s ideal to get a regular dental cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, every 6 months. It’s a way to maintain good oral health, prevent future teeth and gum issues, and understand the current state of your oral health.
Regular Cleaning vs. Periodontal Maintenance
Some dental patients may confuse regular dental cleanings with periodontal maintenance. However, the former prevents teeth and gum issues, while the latter is a targeted treatment for gum disease. Periodontal maintenance is also much more in-depth than a regular cleaning.
Dental Visits and Monitoring
You should get a dental cleaning about twice annually. It allows your dentist or hygienist to monitor your oral health and ensure you’re on the right track to maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Who Needs to Have Periodontal Maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance is for patients who have periodontal disease. Visits are more frequent than for regular cleanings — usually every three months.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Periodontal Maintenance?
Whether dental insurance covers periodontal maintenance depends on the policy and respective plan. Please refer to your dental insurance coverage information, contact the insurance company directly, or contact our office for information.
Dr. Lisa Muff Offers Comprehensive Periodontal Cleaning to Easton Patients
Contact Dr. Lisa Muff to schedule an appointment today for a comprehensive periodontal cleaning in Easton, Pennsylvania. You can also request an appointment online via our website, and one of our trusted team members will respond via call or text. Our office offers a range of additional services, including dental cleanings, Botox and dermal filler treatments, teeth whitening, fillings, and crowns.
To contact Dr. Lisa or to schedule an appointment, call her office at
(610) 559-8001 or click here.
