Periodontal maintenance

A key factor in the success of periodontal treatment is maintaining the health of the gums after treatment has been delivered. As well as a high standard of brushing and interdental cleaning, regular professional cleaning is critical in preventing plaque from reattaching to the roots of the teeth and causing relapse of the gum condition.

Just like your treatment, your periodontal maintenance program will be tailored to your condition, and regularly re-evaluated to ensure that you’re receiving the right care at the right intervals. For some patients, this will mean returning to the general dentist and hygienist for regular examination and cleaning, with reviews here as appropriate (e.g. every 1-2 years); for others, it will mean multiple visits per year here, as well as check-ups with the dentist as required.

At the time of devising your treatment plan, you will be given advice on when to return for review and evaluation of your response to treatment, and this will also be included in a report to your referring dentist. At that review appointment, thorough re-evaluation of your gum health will give us a good impression of how your gums have responded to treatment, and any areas that require ongoing monitoring or further treatment. At that point, we will set up a maintenance program, which will likely incorporate Melbourne Street Perio and your referring practice. Over time, if your condition remains stable, appointments may be able to be spaced further apart; conversely, if your condition ever relapses or if we’re unable to keep it stable, further assessment and/or treatment will be arranged as required.