Gum care
Gum Disease Maintenance and Laser Therapy in Huntersville, NC
Keep gum disease under control after treatment, with visits planned around your risk.
Periodontal maintenance is a cleaning and gum check scheduled more often than a standard cleaning, for people who have been treated for gum disease (periodontitis). It keeps the infection under control so it is less likely to return. At Kreeb Family Dentistry in Huntersville, maintenance visits follow your deep cleaning, and our dentists may use a soft-tissue diode laser to treat infected gum tissue when gum disease is more advanced.
At a glance
- Who it is forPeople who have had treatment for periodontitis, such as scaling and root planing
- When it startsAfter a re-check about 4 to 6 weeks after your gum treatment
- How oftenSet by your dentist from your risk; MedlinePlus advises a professional cleaning every 3 months for people with periodontitis
- What a visit includesGum measurements, cleaning above and below the gum line, polishing, X-rays when due, an oral cancer screening
- Laser therapyA soft-tissue diode laser may be used on infected gum tissue in more advanced cases
- Advanced casesWe may refer you to a periodontist (a gum specialist)
- InsuranceCoverage varies by plan; call us for insurance details
What is periodontal maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance is ongoing care that keeps treated gum disease from coming back. Treatment can control gum disease, but it can come back, so the bacteria that caused it need to be cleared away on a regular schedule.
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) says the majority of patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy to sustain gum health after treatment. MedlinePlus adds that people with periodontitis need careful brushing and flossing at home for life.
How is periodontal maintenance different from a regular cleaning?
A regular cleaning is preventive care for healthy gums. Periodontal maintenance is for gums that have already had periodontitis.
| Option | Regular cleaning | Periodontal maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | People with healthy gums or mild gingivitis | People treated for periodontitis |
| Where it cleans | Mainly above the gum line | Above and below the gum line, into the pockets around the teeth |
| Gum measurements | Checked at exams | Measured at visits to spot changes |
| How often | Set by your dentist | More often, set by your risk; every 3 months is advised by MedlinePlus for periodontitis |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Learn about routine visits on our dental exams and cleanings page.
How often do you need periodontal maintenance?
How often depends on your gums, your risk and how you respond to treatment. People prone to gum disease may need visits three to four times a year. MedlinePlus advises a professional cleaning every 3 months for people with periodontitis.
A 2015 review found the evidence for one fixed interval for every patient is weak, and said schedules based on each person's risk should be studied. So your dentist sets your schedule from what your gums show, and may change it over time. Smoking and diabetes raise the risk of gum disease, and your dentist also looks at how deep your pockets are and whether your gums still bleed.
What happens at a periodontal maintenance visit?
A visit is a careful cleaning and a full check. It may include:
Gum measurements
The hygienist measures the pockets around each tooth with a small ruler called a periodontal probe.
Cleaning above and below the gum line
Plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth and from the pockets.
Polishing
Stains and remaining film are polished off the teeth.
X-rays when due
These are typically taken once a year, or more often if you are prone to gum disease or decay.
An oral exam
We check your teeth, gums, jaw joints and any fillings or crowns.
An oral cancer screening
done at every checkup.
Home care tips
We show you brushing and flossing methods and suggest products that fit your mouth.
What is the re-check after treatment?
After scaling and root planing or other gum treatment, you come back in about 4 to 6 weeks. We measure the pockets again to see how your gums responded. If they have healed well, we set your maintenance schedule. If some areas have not, we talk about next steps.
What is laser gum therapy?
Laser gum therapy uses a focused light to treat infected gum tissue. When gum disease is more advanced, our dentists may use a soft-tissue diode laser to target infection while keeping healthy tissue in place. The laser may be used alone or with other treatment.
The AAP reports that laser treatment has shown similar results to some other non-surgical treatments. It also notes that the laser's settings matter, because the wrong wavelength or power can damage gum tissue. Your dentist will explain whether laser care fits your case and what recovery to expect.
When is gum surgery needed?
Gum surgery may be needed when deep pockets remain after a deep cleaning, or when bone has been lost. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) notes that advanced cases of gum disease may require surgical treatment.
The AAP describes these procedures:
- Pocket procedure (gum flap surgery). The gum is gently folded back so the roots can be cleaned of bacteria, then stitched back in place so it can reattach to healthy bone.
- Regenerative procedures. Bone grafts, membranes or proteins are used to help the body rebuild lost bone and tissue.
If you have advanced gum disease, we may refer you to a periodontist, a dentist with specialty training in the gums, for further treatment recommendations. After surgery, regular maintenance visits are still needed. Learn more on our gum disease treatment page.
Does periodontal maintenance hurt?
A maintenance visit feels like a thorough cleaning. If an area is sore, tell your hygienist. If you feel nervous about dental visits, ask about comfort options when you book.
What are the risks of skipping periodontal maintenance?
Without regular cleaning, bacteria can build up in the pockets again and the infection can return. MedlinePlus lists the return of periodontitis, gum abscesses, teeth that shift or loosen, and tooth loss as possible complications. Keeping your schedule helps protect the work already done.
If you have dental implants, the gums and bone around them need the same attention. See our dental implants page.
How much does periodontal maintenance cost?
The cost of each visit depends on what it includes. What drives it:
How often
you need visits
X-rays
when they are due
Laser care
or other treatment for areas that need more than a cleaning
Any referral
for surgery
Insurance plans treat periodontal maintenance in different ways, and some count it separately from regular cleanings. Call us for insurance details, and ask about payment options on our insurance and payment page.
Why patients choose Kreeb Family Dentistry for gum maintenance
Laser care in the office
We use a soft-tissue diode laser for gum treatment.
A full checkup each time
including an oral cancer screening.
An honest referral when you need one
Advanced cases go to a periodontist.
Early hours
The office opens at 7:00 AM, Monday to Friday, so a visit can fit before work.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Still wondering about something? Call us and our team will help.
Is periodontal maintenance the same as a deep cleaning?
No. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is the treatment that gets gum disease under control. Periodontal maintenance is the follow-up care that keeps it under control. Maintenance visits clean above and below the gum line and track your pocket depths over time.
How often will I need periodontal maintenance?
Your dentist sets the schedule from your risk and how your gums respond. MedlinePlus advises a professional cleaning every 3 months for people with periodontitis.
Can I go back to regular cleanings?
Ask your dentist. Treatment can control gum disease, but it can come back. Your dentist will look at your pocket depths and bleeding before changing your schedule.
Does laser gum therapy replace a deep cleaning?
Not always. The laser may be used alone or with other treatment, depending on your case. The AAP reports results similar to some other non-surgical treatments. Your dentist will explain whether the laser fits your case.
Do I still need to brush and floss if I come every 3 months?
Yes. Daily brushing and flossing remove plaque between visits. MedlinePlus says careful brushing and flossing at home are needed for life after periodontitis. Ask your hygienist which brushes, floss or cleaners suit your mouth.
Does insurance cover periodontal maintenance?
Some plans cover it, sometimes with limits on how many visits a year. Plans differ, so call us for insurance details. Ask about payment options when you call.
Book your periodontal maintenance visit in Huntersville
If you have been treated for gum disease, or it has been a while since your last gum check, book a visit. We will measure your gums and set a schedule that fits.