PERIODONTAL THERAPY
Stop Periodontal Disease in Its Tracks
If you have been diagnosed with and treated for periodontal disease (an advanced form of gum disease), regularly scheduled supportive therapy is vitally important to your success in the management of disease progression. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, “Following a course of active periodontal treatment and periodic ongoing care at regularly prescribed intervals is essential. Because periodontal disease or infection can recur, continuous maintenance is absolutely necessary to prevent this periodontal infection from becoming active once again, destroying what healing has occurred.”
Periodontal disease can wreak havoc on your gums. More frequent visits are needed to keep the bacteria that cause periodontal disease in check.
A periodontal maintenance appointment typically looks like this…
- Evaluation of oral health to detect subtle signs of disease recurrence
- Appropriate debridement of teeth and gums (professional cleaning and polishing)
- Antimicrobial therapy to destroy difficult-to-reach bacteria, as deemed necessary by the doctor
- Evaluation of home-care regimes and aids
- Oral health evaluation, including oral cancer screening, necessary dental films, and decay detection
- Recommendations based on individual needs as a result of medical and dental histories review
Scientific studies support the belief of experts that the most important aspect of periodontal treatment is long-term maintenance therapy. Individuals vary in their response to periodontal disease, and their resistance to the disease varies at different times of life. When periodontal disease recurs following treatment, it may do so without signs or symptoms to the patient. Dr. Harrison and her team of periodontal therapists are well trained in recognizing the very subtle signs that may signal detrimental changes. Ask Dr. Harrison and your hygienist what interval of care would be in your best interest for optimal, lifelong oral health.
• HARVEY J.