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Keep Your Gums Healthy and Prevent Gum Disease Recurrence.
Gum disease can be controlled, but it is never fully "done." Periodontal maintenance is the ongoing care that keeps it that way. At Brandon Lakes Periodontics & Dental Implants, periodontist Dr. Kenneth Ross, DMD, MSD, and our team see maintenance patients every 3–4 months to protect the results of your gum treatment, your natural teeth and your dental implants.
What Is Periodontal Maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance is a specialized cleaning and evaluation for patients who have been treated for gum disease or who have dental implants. It replaces the routine six-month cleaning you may be used to.
The difference is where we clean and what we measure. A routine cleaning focuses on the teeth above the gumline. A maintenance visit cleans below the gumline, inside the pockets where gum disease starts, and tracks whether those pockets are stable, shrinking or getting deeper.
At each visit we:
- Remove plaque and hardened tartar from above and below the gumline
- Measure the pocket depth around every tooth and implant
- Check for bleeding, inflammation, gum recession and loose teeth
- Monitor bone levels with X-rays when they’re due
- Polish teeth and clean around implants with implant-safe instruments
- Review your home care and adjust it to the areas that need help
Why Maintenance Matters After Gum Disease Treatment
The bacteria that cause periodontitis can’t be eliminated for good. Once a pocket has formed, it is easier for bacteria to collect there again, and harder to reach with a toothbrush and floss. Without regular professional cleaning, the infection can return quietly, often with no pain, until bone has already been lost.
Regular maintenance helps you:
- Keep the results of treatment. Scaling and root planing or gum surgery reduces pocket depth. Maintenance keeps those pockets from deepening again.
- Catch problems early. Small changes in pocket depth or bleeding show up at your visit long before you would notice them at home.
- Protect your bone and teeth. Untreated gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Staying on schedule protects the bone that holds your teeth in place.
- Support your overall health. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and other conditions. Keeping it under control supports your whole-body health, not just your smile.
Periodontal Maintenance for Dental Implants
Dental implants can’t get cavities, but the gum and bone around them can still become infected. This condition is called peri-implantitis, and it is one of the main reasons implants fail.
If you have implants, maintenance visits include a careful check of the tissue around each one, pocket measurements and cleaning with instruments designed not to scratch the implant surface. Because Dr. Ross is a periodontist, he can diagnose and treat peri-implantitis in the same office if it develops, including on implants placed by another dentist.
How Often Will I Need Periodontal Maintenance?
Most patients come in every 3–4 months. That interval matches how long it takes the bacteria in a periodontal pocket to rebuild to harmful levels after a cleaning.
Dr. Ross sets your schedule based on your individual risk. You may need visits more often if you:
- Had moderate or advanced periodontitis
- Smoke or use tobacco
- Have diabetes or another condition that affects healing
- Have several dental implants
- Show bleeding or pocket changes between visits
If your gums stay stable over time, your interval may be adjusted. Some patients alternate maintenance visits between our office and their general dentist; we coordinate that with your dentist so nothing is missed.
What to Expect at Your Maintenance Visit
A maintenance appointment usually takes about 45–60 minutes.
- Review. We go over any changes to your health, medications or symptoms since your last visit.
- Measure. We chart pocket depths and note any bleeding, recession or movement.
- Clean. We remove plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. Local anesthetic is available for sensitive areas.
- Image when due. We take X-rays at the intervals Dr. Ross recommends to track bone levels.
- Plan. We show you any areas that need attention and set your next visit.
Most patients go straight back to work or their normal routine afterward.
Does Insurance Cover Periodontal Maintenance?
Many dental insurance plans cover periodontal maintenance, though usually under a different benefit than routine cleanings. Some plans limit how many visits are covered each year. Our team will check your benefits, file your claims and explain your out-of-pocket cost before treatment. Financing, including CareCredit, is available for any balance. See our Insurance & Financing page for details.
Schedule Your Periodontal Maintenance Visit
Stay ahead of gum disease and protect your teeth and implants for the long term. Call (813) 684-8085 or request an appointment online.
Related services: Scaling & Root Planing · Gum Disease Treatment · Dental Implants · Gum Recession Treatment
Schedule Your Periodontal Evaluation Today
Book your periodontal maintenance visit today to keep your gums healthy and your smile strong.
Take control of your gum health and protect your smile. Call our office today or request an appointment online.
Have Questions?
Periodontal Maintenance FAQs
What's the difference between periodontal maintenance and a regular cleaning?
A regular cleaning focuses above the gumline and is meant for healthy gums. Periodontal maintenance cleans below the gumline, inside the pockets left by gum disease, and includes pocket measurements to track whether the disease is stable.
Can I go back to regular cleanings once my gums are healthy?
Usually not. Once you’ve had periodontitis, you are at higher risk for it returning. Maintenance is what keeps your gums healthy, so stopping it typically allows the disease to come back.
Does periodontal maintenance hurt?
Most patients find it comfortable. Areas with deeper pockets can be sensitive, and we can use local anesthetic to keep you comfortable.
Why do I need visits every 3–4 months instead of every 6?
The bacteria in periodontal pockets rebuild to harmful levels in about three months. Visiting on that schedule removes them before they can cause more damage.
Do I need periodontal maintenance if I have dental implants?
Yes. Implants are vulnerable to peri-implantitis, an infection of the gum and bone around them. Regular maintenance is the best way to catch it early and protect your investment.
Can I split maintenance visits with my general dentist?
Often, yes. Many patients alternate between our office and their general dentist. Dr. Ross will recommend the right schedule and keep your dentist updated.