What is the difference between prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance

A regular cleaning is recommended for patients who do not have bone loss, periodontal disease, or infection around the teeth. There should be no bleeding, mobility of the teeth, receded areas, or gaps where the spaces around the roots of the teeth are exposed.

In other words, the mouth should be healthy with no bone or gum problems. A regular cleaning, or prophylaxis, removes soft plaque, tartar, and stains from the teeth above the gum line, and only slightly below. A regular cleaning is usually done 2 to 3 times a year, depending on how quickly stain, plaque, and tartar accumulate. It is considered a preventive procedure by your insurance carrier, since regular cleanings will help prevent periodontal disease.

Periodontal maintenance programs are designed to help Bellevue, WA patients better manage their gum and bone health, and keep the growth of oral bacteria under control. Periodontal maintenance visits replace annual oral prophylaxis services and include very thorough cleanings, gum health assessments, and X-rays, and exams as needed. At Premier Periodontics, our skilled periodontists are experts in treating all stages of gum disease.

If you feel you may have gum disease or have further questions about periodontal cleaning vs. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary. When you go for periodontal maintenance, the hygienist will remove tartar just like with a regular cleaning. This is known as scaling and root planing. If they see any infection or inflammation in these pockets, then the dental hygienist will flush the area with antiseptic to help with disinfection and controlling the infection or inflammation.

So, you know what regular and deep cleaning are. Now the question is: When do you go for each one? As we mentioned above, this is preventative care. This may result in periodontal disease rearing its ugly head. Deep cleaning is performed to stop periodontal disease from advancing. Her exceptional skill and experience have made her a leader in the field of periodontics. She specializes in dental implant placement, treatment of periodontal disease, and she has been internationally recognized for her extensive research on bone grafting.

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