FREQUENT MAINTENANCE VISITS ARE IMPORTANT

When we first find periodontal disease, we treat it with scaling and root planing to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from beneath your gum line. This treatment disrupts the growth of the bacteria; however, bacteria remain and may settle back into the pocket where they reproduce. The number of bacteria doubles every time they reproduce, reaching destructive levels in as few as 90 days.

WHY A 3-MONTH PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE RECARE VISIT?

While there is No Cure for periodontal disease, it can be managed or controlled. A three-month Periodontal Maintenance Therapy Appointment is a Soft Tissue Management Program that is a non-surgical approach to Controlling Periodontal Disease. It is the most conservative approach to prevent more extensive and aggressive treatment.

The bacterium that causes periodontal disease re-establishes within 3 months after treatment. A 3 Month Periodontal Maintenance Appointment is critically timed to disable the destructive process at its critical stage. This critical stage is when the bacteria and their poisons do the most harm to the supporting structures, namely, the periodontal attachment.

For patients with adult periodontitis, supportive 3-month Periodontal Maintenance Appointments are not an option – but a requirement for successful therapy. Waiting longer than three months for Recare may result in advanced inflammation and may require anesthesia to eliminate discomfort when treating. Very rarely would it be advisable to try a 6-month Recare schedule with known periodontal problems and history. This would result in putting the patient at risk for more breakdowns. Therefore, we recommend that you maintain a 3-month Periodontal Maintenance Schedule so the hygienist can access deeper pocket areas and disrupt the bacteria so that they do not continue to multiply and cause increases in pocket depth and additional bone loss, which results in loose teeth or even tooth loss.

BUT INSURANCE ONLY COVERS TWO RECARE VISITS A YEAR

We often hear, “But my insurance only covers two hygiene care visits in a year”. Contrary to this common insurance restriction, we do not determine our patient's Recare or Periodontal Maintenance Therapy schedule based on what insurance covers. We make our recommendations based on the actual clinical evaluation and always keep our patient’s oral health in mind. Most insured 3-month Periodontal Maintenance/Recare patients pay for one or two annual appointments out of pocket. By following the prescribed recommendation, they avoid future problems such as extensive periodontal treatment, possible surgery, and the additional cost involved with these significant treatments.

Realistically, the 6 month prophylaxis (basic routine cleaning) appointment, covered by insurance, is reserved for patients with a healthy periodontium. The Recare system applies to patients with 1-3 millimeter probe depths with little to no bleeding. Even if you have not had scaling and root planing, we may recommend having your teeth cleaned every three to four months due to increased probing depths, bleeding or changes in your health or oral condition. This 3-4 month recommended Recare System is to prevent any further periodontal involvement and/or treatment.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE IS UNPREDICTABLE     

Periodontal disease left untreated can cause serious overall health problems. Research has linked periodontal disease to heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, premature births and low birth weight. Diabetics can have far more difficulty controlling their diabetes as well.

With such profound effects, we must do everything we can to help find and control periodontal disease. It can be a challenge to predict when the symptoms of periodontal disease may recur because, frequently, it does not cause any pain. It is also challenging to determine where, as sometimes only isolated areas are affected. The only way to find and control periodontal disease is with a professional exam specifically aimed at targeting the disease.

Periodontal Maintenance visits help us break the stronghold of bacteria in your gums and slow or eliminate their destructive effects. When necessary, we may re-treat the teeth with scaling and root planing more than once, apply a medication or antimicrobial irrigation, or even prescribe an antibiotic.

Despite our best efforts to treat and control periodontal disease, sometimes it is not enough. Based on the desired response of treatment and patient follow-through, the patient may still need to be referred to a Periodontist (gum specialist) as the next line of treatment.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE ONLY CONTROLLED

Remember that periodontal disease cannot be cured; it can only be controlled. This is why we need to examine the health of your gums at least every three to four months. If periodontal disease is not closely monitored and controlled, the disease can quickly worsen, destroy bone and soft tissue, and eventually cause tooth loss.

Our trained professionals have many years of experience recognizing, controlling, and treating periodontal disease. We have state-of-the-art equipment to serve you in a comfortable and pain-free environment. With our expertise and knowledge and our dedicated staff, we are determined to identify your individual needs and set a recare system that is right for your oral health.

If you notice any signs and symptoms such as bleeding, inflammation, foul taste, or odor coming from your gums, please call us immediately to schedule a consultation and assessment. Together we can help you control your periodontal disease.