What Happens at a Periodontal Maintenance Appointment?

Many of our Fort Lauderdale patients ask, “what happens at an appointment with you. What can we expect?” Here’s a quick overview.

At the periodontal maintenance appointment the following procedures are performed

• An update of medical and dental history
• A Soft tissue cancer exam
• A Clinical decay examination
• A Clinical periodontal examination
• Review of oral hygiene as needed
• Scaling above the gum level
• Root planing under gum level as needed
• Administration of fluoride as needed
• Polishing
• Doctor check
• Confirmation of recall frequency and scheduling of next appointment (Full mouth radiographs, which show the entire root surface, are taken every 3 years to determine if the bone level is stable).

An important observation at periodontal maintenance appointment is whether the tissues bleed when probed. If there is not bleeding, the mouth is healthy.

If there is bleeding and it is seen on several subsequent recalls, additional treatment in that area is warranted. A change of the bone level as seen on x-rays also requires attention.

Do you have questions about your smile?

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700