Periodontal Maintenance After Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing (SRP) is basically a deep cleaning of your teeth, and it’s a big step toward treating periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Periodontal maintenance falls under the umbrella of preventative dentistry, and for patients in Berkeley CA, this is an important ongoing process that protects the gums and prevents the disease from worsening or returning.

At Ashby Dental in Elmwood, we place a big priority on follow-up care after SRP to ensure long-term oral health while reducing the risk of complications. Today we will talk about periodontal maintenance, and why it’s so essential to your oral health.

Scaling and Root Planing: Defined

A non-surgical treatment, scaling and root planing helps to address moderate to advanced gum disease. Periodontal disease involves the inflammation and infection of the tissues that support and surround the teeth. Gingivitis is the first stage and involves a mild inflammation of the gums. It is preventable and treatable with a blend of oral hygiene and professional cleanings.

Periodontitis is a more advanced stage, and affects the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. If not treated, bone loss and then tooth loss can result. About four in 10 U.S. adults have a mild, moderate, or severe level of periodontitis, according to the CDC.

As stated above, scaling and root planing helps to address moderate to advanced gum disease. Your dentist will remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline (AKA scaling) and smooths the root surfaces of your teeth (AKA root planing). This deep clean of your teeth is designed to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and foster a healthy environment in your mouth that discourages harmful bacteria from returning.

But SRP isn’t a cure-all. While highly effective, it does not cure periodontal disease. Gum disease, especially at later stages, is chronic and recurrent. In a nutshell, without regular maintenance, it can return and progress.

A Look at Periodontal Maintenance

Periodontal maintenance is a vital next step after undergoing scaling and root planing. This personalized follow-up regimen should take place every few months after the SRP procedure. These visits are different than routine dental cleanings, and are reserved for patients who have periodontal disease. Periodontal maintenance includes:

Deep cleaning of periodontal pockets
Monitoring of gum health and attachment levels
Removal of calculus and plaque both above and below the gumline
Monitoring for signs of disease progression
X-rays as needed to check on bone levels

Periodontal maintenance for Berkeley patients will be tailored to their specific condition and history of gum disease.

The Importance of Periodontal Maintenance

From preventing recurrence to detecting problems early, there are many benefits of periodontal maintenance.

1. Prevents Recurrence of Gum Disease

Preventing the return of gum disease is the primary reason to undergo regular periodontal maintenance. After SRP, harmful bacteria can return and repopulate within just a few months. If you neglect professional cleaning and monitoring, bacteria will once again destroy your gum tissue and bone. Your teeth could shift or you could lose them.

2. Helps Detect Problems Early

During these maintenance visits, your dentist will evaluate your gum pockets, look for signs of inflammation, measure attachment levels, and determine your overall gum health. When your dental team can catch signs of disease recurrence early, they can quickly treat it before it spirals out of control.

3. Protects Your SRP Investment

Scaling and root planing takes a lot of time and money. Attending regular maintenance visits allows you to protect that investment you made, ensuring your gums continue to heal.

4. Reduces Risk of Tooth Loss

As the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, the progression of periodontal disease can be stopped or slowed down with consistent maintenance. This helps to prevent or reduce the risk of losing your natural teeth later on.

5. Supports Overall Oral Health

Gum disease has been linked to several systemic health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory conditions, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Periodontal Maintenance vs. Routine Cleanings

You may wonder what the difference is between regular dental cleanings and periodontal maintenance. As alluded to above they have two different goals. Yes, both involve professional cleaning, but the top differences include:

Frequency: Routine cleanings take place every six months, while periodontal maintenance takes place every three to four months.
Depth of Cleaning: Maintenance cleanings extend deeper beneath the gumline with the goal of removing bacteria in periodontal pockets.
Monitoring: Periodontal maintenance involves regular monitoring of pocket depth and bone levels to check for changes.

Neglecting regular periodontal maintenance and just attending routine cleanings can pose a risk of reinfection and continued damage to both gum and bone tissues.