Periodontal Maintenance Hillsboro OR | East Wind Dental Care
If you’ve been treated for gum disease, congratulations on taking an important step toward protecting your oral health. However, the journey doesn’t end when active treatment concludes. Periodontal maintenance is the ongoing care essential for keeping gum disease under control, preventing recurrence, and protecting your teeth, gums, and overall health for years to come.
At East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro, Oregon, Dr. Merat Ostovar provides comprehensive periodontal maintenance programs customized to each patient’s needs. Located at 7546 NE Shaleen St, Hillsboro, OR 97124, we serve patients from Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, Tanasbourne, and Orenco Station with the specialized ongoing care necessary to maintain the results of periodontal therapy. Call (503) 614-0198 to schedule your periodontal maintenance appointment.
Understanding Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal maintenance is not simply a regular dental cleaning. It’s a specialized preventive procedure designed specifically for patients who have been treated for periodontal (gum) disease. While routine prophylaxis cleanings maintain healthy mouths, periodontal maintenance addresses the unique needs of patients with a history of gum disease.
Gum disease is a chronic, bacterial infection affecting the gums and bone supporting your teeth. Even after successful treatment brings the disease under control, the bacteria that cause periodontal disease remain in your mouth. Without ongoing specialized care, these bacteria multiply rapidly, reinfecting the treated areas and causing disease to return.
Periodontal maintenance provides the frequent, thorough professional care necessary to keep bacterial populations at manageable levels, monitor your periodontal health, and intervene quickly if problems begin to develop. This ongoing relationship between you and our dental team is essential for long-term success.
How Periodontal Maintenance Differs from Regular Cleanings
Many patients wonder why they need periodontal maintenance rather than standard cleanings. Understanding the differences helps clarify why this specialized care is so important.
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Regular Cleanings: Typically performed every six months for patients with healthy gums.
Periodontal Maintenance: Usually scheduled every three to four months, though some patients with aggressive disease or other risk factors may need appointments every six to eight weeks.
The more frequent schedule isn’t arbitrary. Research shows that bacterial populations regrow to harmful levels approximately 90 days after professional cleaning in patients with periodontal disease history. More frequent maintenance appointments keep bacteria under control before they can cause damage.
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Regular Cleanings: Focus on removing plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces above the gumline. These prophylaxis cleanings maintain already-healthy mouths.
Periodontal Maintenance: Involves thorough cleaning both above and below the gumline, with special attention to periodontal pockets where disease-causing bacteria accumulate. The procedure addresses areas affected by previous disease, removing bacterial biofilm from root surfaces and pocket depths.
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Regular Cleanings: Basic examination checks for cavities and obvious problems.
Periodontal Maintenance: Includes detailed periodontal assessment at each visit. We measure pocket depths, check for bleeding, assess gum attachment levels, evaluate bone structure on X-rays, and monitor for any signs of disease recurrence or progression.
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Regular Cleanings: Typically take 30-45 minutes for healthy mouths.
Periodontal Maintenance: Usually requires 45-60 minutes or longer due to the thorough cleaning of deeper pocket areas and comprehensive periodontal evaluation.
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Regular Cleanings: Coded as prophylaxis, typically covered twice yearly by insurance.
Periodontal Maintenance: Coded differently (as periodontal maintenance), usually covered up to four times yearly following periodontal therapy. Insurance companies recognize that this more frequent, specialized care is medically necessary for patients with periodontal disease history.
Who Needs Periodontal Maintenance?
Dr. Ostovar recommends periodontal maintenance for patients who have:
Completed Scaling and Root Planing: If you’ve undergone deep cleaning procedures to treat gum disease, ongoing maintenance is essential to preserve the results and prevent disease recurrence.
Had Periodontal Surgery: Whether you’ve had gum grafting, pocket reduction surgery, or other periodontal procedures, maintenance care protects your investment and monitors healing.
History of Bone Loss: If you’ve experienced bone loss from periodontal disease, regular monitoring and maintenance help prevent further deterioration.
Dental Implants: Implants can develop peri-implantitis, an infection similar to gum disease. Periodontal maintenance helps protect your implants from this destructive condition.
Chronic Periodontitis: Even if currently controlled, chronic periodontal disease requires lifelong maintenance to prevent recurrence.
Aggressive Periodontitis: Patients who’ve experienced rapid, severe gum disease need especially vigilant ongoing care.
Significant Risk Factors: Certain conditions increase periodontal disease risk and may warrant maintenance-level care even with minimal disease history:
- Diabetes
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Compromised immune system
- Genetic predisposition to gum disease
- Medications that cause dry mouth
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause)
During your evaluation, Dr. Ostovar will determine whether periodontal maintenance is appropriate for your situation and recommend an optimal appointment frequency.
What Happens During a Periodontal Maintenance Appointment
Understanding what to expect helps you feel prepared and comfortable with your periodontal maintenance care.
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Each maintenance appointment begins with thorough evaluation of your periodontal health:
Pocket Depth Measurements: Using a small measuring instrument called a periodontal probe, we measure the depth of the space between your teeth and gums at multiple points around each tooth. Healthy pockets measure 1-3mm. Deeper pockets indicate active disease or areas at risk for recurrence.
Bleeding Assessment: We note which areas bleed when gently probed. Bleeding is an important indicator of inflammation and potential disease activity.
Gum Recession Evaluation: We measure any recession (gums pulling away from teeth), which can indicate disease progression or other problems.
Mobility Testing: Teeth are checked for looseness, which can indicate bone loss or other issues.
Furcation Examination: For multi-rooted teeth, we check the areas where roots divide, as these spots are particularly vulnerable to disease.
Oral Tissue Inspection: All soft tissues are examined for lesions, inflammation, or other abnormalities.
Bite Analysis: Your bite relationship is assessed, as bite problems can contribute to periodontal issues.
This comprehensive evaluation provides a detailed snapshot of your current periodontal status and helps identify any areas requiring additional attention.
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After assessment, our skilled hygienist performs meticulous cleaning:
Supragingival Scaling: Plaque and tartar are carefully removed from all tooth surfaces above the gumline using specialized instruments.
Subgingival Scaling: This is where periodontal maintenance differs most from regular cleanings. The hygienist thoroughly cleans below the gumline, removing bacterial biofilm and any tartar deposits from root surfaces and within periodontal pockets. Special instruments allow access to these deeper areas where disease-causing bacteria accumulate.
Root Planing: Tooth root surfaces are smoothed to remove bacterial toxins and create a surface less hospitable to bacterial attachment.
Polishing: Teeth are polished to remove surface stains and create smooth surfaces that resist plaque accumulation.
Irrigation: Antimicrobial solutions may be used to irrigate periodontal pockets, reducing bacterial populations.
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Depending on your needs, additional treatments may be incorporated:
Localized Antibiotic Therapy: Products like Arestin (antibiotic microspheres) can be placed directly into periodontal pockets that show active disease, providing sustained antimicrobial therapy right where it’s needed.
Laser Therapy: Some practices use dental lasers to reduce bacteria in periodontal pockets and promote healing.
Fluoride Treatment: Professional fluoride application strengthens enamel and can be especially beneficial if gum recession has exposed root surfaces.
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Your hygienist will review your home care routine and provide personalized recommendations:
- Proper brushing technique for your specific needs
- Effective flossing methods, including getting into deeper pockets
- Interdental brush or water flosser use for hard-to-clean areas
- Antimicrobial rinse recommendations
- Product suggestions tailored to your situation
- Strategies for managing any challenges you’re experiencing
Effective home care between professional appointments is absolutely critical for periodontal maintenance success. We partner with you to develop a routine that works for your lifestyle and addresses your specific needs.
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Periodic X-rays (typically annually) help monitor bone levels and detect any changes. Progress notes document pocket depths, bleeding points, and other findings, allowing us to track trends over time and identify any areas requiring intervention.
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Dr. Ostovar reviews your periodontal status and discusses any concerns. If problems are identified, he’ll recommend appropriate treatment. If your periodontal health is stable, he’ll congratulate you and reinforce the importance of continuing your maintenance schedule.
The Critical Importance of Periodontal Maintenance Frequency
The three-to-four-month maintenance interval isn’t arbitrary – it’s based on scientific research about bacterial regrowth patterns and disease recurrence risk.
Studies show that in patients with periodontal disease history, pathogenic bacteria recolonize treated periodontal pockets within approximately 90 days after professional cleaning. If allowed to remain, these bacteria trigger inflammatory responses that destroy gum tissue and bone.
More frequent professional cleaning interrupts this bacterial recolonization cycle, keeping populations at levels your immune system can manage without tissue destruction. Stretching maintenance intervals to six months – standard for patients without periodontal disease history – allows enough bacterial regrowth to restart the disease process in susceptible individuals.
Think of it like mowing a lawn. If you have a healthy lawn and mow it regularly, it stays manageable. But if you have an aggressive weed problem, more frequent mowing is necessary to keep weeds from taking over. Similarly, patients with periodontal disease history need more frequent professional intervention to keep harmful bacteria under control.
Protecting Dental Implants with Periodontal Maintenance
If you have dental implants, periodontal maintenance is especially critical. Implants can develop peri-implantitis – a destructive infection similar to gum disease that affects the tissues and bone around implants. Peri-implantitis can lead to implant failure if not prevented or treated promptly.
Regular periodontal maintenance allows us to:
- Monitor implant health and surrounding tissues
- Remove bacterial biofilm before it triggers inflammation
- Detect early signs of peri-implantitis when treatment is most effective
- Use appropriate instruments that won’t damage implant surfaces
- Provide specialized home care instructions for implant maintenance
Implants represent a significant investment in your oral health and quality of life. Periodontal maintenance helps protect that investment, ensuring your implants serve you well for decades.
The Connection Between Periodontal Maintenance and Systemic Health
Maintaining your periodontal health through regular maintenance appointments benefits more than just your mouth. Extensive research links periodontal disease to several systemic health conditions:
Cardiovascular Disease: Chronic periodontal inflammation contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), increasing risk for heart attack and stroke. Controlling periodontal disease may help reduce cardiovascular risk.
Diabetes: The relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease is bidirectional. Diabetes increases susceptibility to gum disease, while active periodontal disease makes blood sugar control more difficult. Periodontal maintenance helps diabetic patients maintain better glycemic control.
Respiratory Infections: Bacteria from periodontal pockets can be aspirated into lungs, potentially causing or worsening respiratory infections and conditions like pneumonia.
Pregnancy Complications: Periodontal disease during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Maintaining periodontal health supports healthier pregnancies.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis share inflammatory pathways and may worsen each other. Controlling periodontal inflammation may help reduce arthritis symptoms.
Cognitive Decline: Emerging research suggests links between chronic periodontal inflammation and increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
By committing to regular periodontal maintenance, you’re not just protecting your teeth and gums – you’re supporting your overall health and wellbeing.
Cost and Insurance Coverage for Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal maintenance typically costs more per visit than routine prophylaxis cleaning due to the additional time, expertise, and complexity involved. However, most dental insurance plans recognize the medical necessity of this care and provide coverage.
Insurance Coverage: After you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease and received appropriate treatment, most insurance plans cover periodontal maintenance visits up to four times per year. This is in contrast to routine cleaning coverage, which is typically limited to twice yearly.
Some plans cover a combination – for example, two periodontal maintenance visits and two regular cleanings per year, or three maintenance visits and one regular cleaning. Our knowledgeable team will verify your specific benefits and explain your coverage.
Investment vs. Cost: While periodontal maintenance represents an ongoing expense, consider it an investment in preserving your natural teeth and overall health. The cost of maintenance is far less than the expense of treating recurrent periodontal disease, replacing teeth lost to disease, or managing systemic health conditions worsened by periodontal inflammation.
For patients without insurance or those whose coverage is exhausted, we offer various payment options to make necessary care accessible and affordable.
What Happens If You Skip Periodontal Maintenance?
Some patients, feeling well after initial periodontal treatment, wonder if they can reduce maintenance frequency or return to six-month cleaning schedules. Unfortunately, skipping or delaying periodontal maintenance significantly increases the risk of disease recurrence.
Bacterial Regrowth: Without frequent professional cleaning, pathogenic bacteria recolonize treated areas within months, restarting the disease process.
Disease Recurrence: Studies show that patients who don’t maintain recommended maintenance schedules experience significantly higher rates of continued bone loss and disease progression compared to compliant patients.
Tooth Loss: Untreated recurrent periodontal disease leads to progressive bone loss, tooth mobility, and eventual tooth loss.
Increased Treatment Needs: If disease recurs due to inadequate maintenance, you may need retreatment with scaling and root planing or surgery – procedures more invasive and expensive than maintenance visits.
Implant Failure: Patients with implants who don’t maintain recommended maintenance schedules face increased risk of peri-implantitis and implant failure.
Systemic Health Impact: Uncontrolled periodontal disease contributes to systemic inflammation and potentially worsens associated health conditions.
Think of periodontal maintenance like managing other chronic conditions. Just as diabetics can’t stop monitoring blood sugar after initial diagnosis, or hypertensive patients can’t discontinue blood pressure medication once controlled, periodontal disease patients need ongoing care to keep their condition managed.
Maximizing Success Between Maintenance Appointments
While regular professional maintenance is essential, your home care between appointments is equally important. Success requires partnership between our dental team and you.
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Thorough Brushing: Brush at least twice daily for two minutes using proper technique. Use a soft-bristled brush and angle it toward the gumline to clean where teeth and gums meet. Electric toothbrushes often provide superior plaque removal.
Meticulous Flossing: Floss at least once daily, carefully cleaning below the gumline. Curve the floss around each tooth in a C-shape and gently slide it beneath the gum margin. If traditional floss is difficult, try floss holders, interdental brushes, or water flossers.
Interdental Cleaning: Small brushes designed to fit between teeth are excellent for cleaning areas standard floss can’t reach effectively, particularly if you have larger spaces between teeth or receded gums.
Antimicrobial Rinse: If recommended, use prescription or over-the-counter antimicrobial mouth rinse to reduce bacterial populations. Follow directions carefully regarding timing and frequency.
Water Flosser Use: Devices that use pulsating water streams can effectively clean around teeth and slightly below the gumline, particularly helpful for patients with deep pockets, bridges, or implants.
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Tobacco Cessation: If you use tobacco, quitting is the single most important step you can take to improve your periodontal prognosis. Smoking dramatically impairs healing, increases disease severity, and reduces treatment success. We can provide resources and support for tobacco cessation.
Nutritious Diet: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports immune function and tissue health. Vitamin C deficiency, in particular, negatively impacts gum health.
Diabetes Management: If you’re diabetic, work with your physician to maintain optimal blood sugar control. Well-controlled diabetes allows better periodontal health.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can suppress immune function and contribute to periodontal disease. Stress reduction techniques support overall health including periodontal wellness.
Adequate Sleep: Quality sleep supports immune function and healing. Prioritize getting sufficient rest.
Why Choose East Wind Dental Care for Periodontal Maintenance?
Patients throughout Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, Tanasbourne, and Orenco Station trust East Wind Dental Care for comprehensive periodontal care:
Specialized Expertise: Dr. Ostovar and our hygiene team have extensive training and experience in periodontal therapy and maintenance, providing expert care that protects your oral health.
Advanced Technology: We use the latest diagnostic tools and treatment technologies to provide precise, effective care.
Personalized Approach: We recognize that every patient’s periodontal situation is unique. Your maintenance program is customized to your specific needs, risk factors, and goals.
Comprehensive Monitoring: Detailed documentation and careful monitoring allow us to detect subtle changes early, when intervention is easiest and most effective.
Gentle, Comfortable Care: We prioritize your comfort, using gentle techniques and offering numbing when needed to ensure comfortable appointments.
Patient Education: We believe informed patients achieve better outcomes. We take time to explain your periodontal status and teach effective home care techniques.
Convenient Scheduling: We offer flexible appointment times to make maintaining your regular schedule easy despite busy life demands.
Coordination with Specialists: If complex periodontal treatment becomes necessary, we coordinate seamlessly with trusted specialists while continuing to provide your ongoing maintenance care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal Maintenance
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In most cases, once you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, ongoing periodontal maintenance every three to four months is recommended indefinitely. Periodontal disease is a chronic condition that requires lifelong management. However, if you maintain excellent home care and your periodontal health remains stable for an extended period, Dr. Ostovar may occasionally adjust your frequency.
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Most patients experience minimal discomfort during maintenance cleaning. However, if you have areas of inflammation or deep pockets, those areas may be tender. We can provide local anesthesia to ensure your comfort if needed.
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Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal maintenance up to four times yearly following periodontal disease diagnosis and treatment. However, coverage varies by plan. Our team will verify your specific benefits and explain your coverage.
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If you’ve missed maintenance appointments, don’t let worry keep you away longer. Schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Dr. Ostovar will assess your current periodontal status and recommend appropriate treatment to get you back on track. We won’t judge – we simply want to help you restore and maintain your oral health.
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While maintenance primarily prevents disease progression rather than reversing existing damage, it can help stabilize teeth by controlling infection and inflammation. The earlier you begin maintenance after periodontal treatment, the better your long-term prognosis.
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Yes. Periodontal disease is often painless, even as it progresses. You can have active disease destroying bone and gum tissue without experiencing symptoms until damage is severe. Regular maintenance allows professional monitoring and intervention before you develop symptoms.
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Most periodontal maintenance appointments require 45-60 minutes, though complex cases may need longer. The additional time compared to routine cleanings reflects the thorough nature of maintenance care.
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Unfortunately, no. While excellent home care is essential, professional cleaning with specialized instruments is necessary to remove calculus (hardened tartar) and bacterial biofilm from below the gumline and within periodontal pockets. These areas can’t be adequately cleaned with home care alone, no matter how diligent you are.
Schedule Your Periodontal Maintenance Appointment
If you’ve been treated for gum disease or have been told you need periodontal maintenance, don’t delay this essential care. Regular maintenance appointments are your best defense against disease recurrence and tooth loss.
Call East Wind Dental Care at (503) 614-0198 to schedule your periodontal maintenance appointment. Our Hillsboro office, located at 7546 NE Shaleen St, Hillsboro, OR 97124, serves patients from throughout Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, Tanasbourne, and Orenco Station.
Dr. Ostovar and our caring team are committed to helping you maintain the results of your periodontal treatment and enjoy optimal oral health for life. Let us partner with you in protecting your smile, your teeth, and your overall health through comprehensive periodontal maintenance care.
Your periodontal health is too important to leave to chance. Call today to schedule your maintenance appointment and take control of your oral health future.