Preventive Care

Why Maintenance Matters

Periodontal disease is chronic — it requires ongoing management

Once you have been treated for gum disease, the bacteria responsible for it do not disappear permanently. They begin recolonizing periodontal pockets within weeks of treatment. Without regular professional cleaning to disrupt this recolonization, disease can return — and research consistently shows that patients who skip maintenance lose more teeth over time than those who stay current.

Periodontal maintenance is not the same as a regular dental cleaning. It involves cleaning deeper into the pockets that form around teeth, re-measuring pocket depths to track changes, and evaluating the stability of any implants, grafts, or other work you have had done. It is a clinical monitoring visit, not just a polish.

At Wellington Periodontal Associates, we place treated patients on a maintenance schedule tailored to their disease history and risk factors — typically every three to four months. Our hygienists and doctors track your periodontal charting over time so that any early signs of recurrence or new disease are caught and addressed before they require more invasive treatment.

What's Included

Full-mouth pocket depth re-charting
Subgingival scaling and root planing as needed
Implant and prosthetics check
Oral cancer screening

Recommended Frequency

Active disease history: every 3 months
Stable, lower-risk patients: every 4 months
High-risk (smokers, diabetics): every 3 months
Implant patients: every 3–6 months

The Research Is Clear

Studies show patients who complete active treatment but skip maintenance lose three times as many teeth over 10 years compared to those who maintain a consistent schedule. Maintenance is not optional — it is what makes treatment last.

What Happens at Each Visit

A maintenance appointment, step by step

A periodontal maintenance visit is more comprehensive than a standard cleaning. Here is what we do at every appointment.

Periodontal Charting

We re-measure pocket depths around every tooth. Changes from your baseline charting tell us whether disease is stable, improving, or showing early signs of recurrence.

Subgingival Cleaning

We remove calculus and biofilm from below the gumline — especially in any pockets that remain. This is the core of maintenance and requires instruments that reach deeper than a standard prophylaxis.

Clinical Evaluation

We assess gum tissue health, check implants and any restorations, screen for oral cancer, and review radiographs as scheduled. Any areas of concern are addressed immediately.

Home Care Coaching

We review your home care routine and make specific recommendations — brush technique, floss alternatives, water flossers for implants, or any tools that will help you maintain health between visits.

Why Stay on Schedule

What consistent maintenance protects

Keep the teeth you have

Consistent maintenance dramatically reduces tooth loss over time. Studies tracking patients for 10+ years show maintenance frequency is one of the strongest predictors of long-term tooth retention.

Catch problems early

A pocket that has deepened by 1mm is easy to address. The same pocket at 6 months may require surgery. Regular charting creates the data trail that catches recurrence before it escalates.

Protect implants long-term

Implants can develop peri-implantitis — a form of bone loss similar to periodontitis. Regular cleaning and monitoring around implants is essential to catch this early, when it is still treatable.

Reduce systemic disease risk

Controlled periodontal bacteria levels benefit more than your mouth. Managing the infection consistently is linked to better control of diabetes, reduced cardiovascular inflammation, and healthier pregnancies.

Avoid retreatment costs

Recurrent periodontitis that advances to require surgery is far more expensive — and invasive — than the maintenance visits that would have prevented it. Staying on schedule is the most cost-effective path long-term.

A documented health record

Regular charting creates a longitudinal record of your periodontal health. This documentation helps us — and any future providers — understand your disease history and make informed decisions.

Who Needs Periodontal Maintenance?

Maintenance is recommended for patients who have

You should be on a periodontal maintenance schedule if you have a history of:

Periodontal disease treated with scaling, root planing, or surgery

Dental implants — including single implants, bridges, or full-arch restorations

Bone or gum grafting procedures

Elevated risk factors: diabetes, smoking history, or genetic susceptibility

Persistent pockets of 4mm or greater even after active treatment

New patient coming from another office?

If you were previously treated for gum disease elsewhere and are looking for a new home for your ongoing care, we welcome you. We'll review your records, chart your current status, and enroll you in the maintenance schedule appropriate for your history.

What to Expect

Your maintenance visit, from arrival to next appointment

Arrival

Brief health and medication update

We review any changes to your health history or medications since your last visit. Certain conditions and medications can affect gum health and influence what we do at the appointment.

During

Charting, cleaning, and evaluation

A maintenance appointment typically takes 45–75 minutes. Pocket depths are recorded at every tooth. We clean subgingivally wherever calculus is present. The doctor reviews your chart and examines any areas of concern. No separate "exam" fee — evaluation is included.

After

Summary and next appointment scheduled

Before you leave, we discuss how your gums compared to your last visit — what's stable, what we're watching, and any recommendations. We schedule your next maintenance appointment before you go so you stay on track.

Common Questions

Frequently asked about periodontal maintenance

Can't I just get a regular cleaning at my dentist instead?

A standard prophylaxis (regular cleaning) cleans at and slightly below the gumline — it is designed for patients without active or past periodontal disease. If you have a history of periodontitis, the pockets around your teeth require deeper cleaning and more careful monitoring than a standard appointment provides. Periodontal maintenance is a different service, billed differently, and is the medically appropriate standard of care for patients with your history.

How often do I really need to come in?

For most patients with a history of periodontal disease, every three months is the evidence-based standard. Research shows that pathogenic bacteria recolonize below the gumline within 9–11 weeks, which is why a 3-month interval disrupts the cycle before bacteria can re-establish. Stable, lower-risk patients may extend to four months. We'll recommend the interval right for your specific situation — and adjust it over time based on how you respond.

Is periodontal maintenance covered by dental insurance?

Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal maintenance visits, though coverage varies by plan. Many plans cover two visits per year at the prophylaxis rate and require a co-pay for additional visits. We'll verify your benefits and let you know what to expect cost-wise before your appointment. Our team is experienced at maximizing what your insurance covers.

My gums feel fine — do I still need to come in?

Yes. Periodontal disease is often silent — pocket depth changes and early bone loss occur without any symptoms you'd notice at home. Gums that "feel fine" can still be harboring bacteria and losing support below the surface. The whole point of maintenance is to catch these changes before they produce symptoms, because by the time disease is painful or obvious, it has already caused significant damage.