Once Dr. Rothstein has completed the active phase of your periodontal treatment, your gum disease will be under control. He will create a personalized maintenance program to help you maintain healthy gums and prevent future issues.
Gum disease is primarily caused by bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that continuously forms on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins that attack your gums and teeth. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into calculus (tartar), which cannot be eliminated with brushing alone. Even with careful home care, gum disease can recur within two to four months after your last professional cleaning. Regular professional maintenance helps detect hidden problems and removes hardened plaque to keep your gums and teeth healthy.
The frequency and type of care depend on the severity of your gum disease before treatment. Generally, patients with more advanced disease require more frequent monitoring. Dr. Rothstein works closely with you and your general dentist to develop a personalized schedule for your supportive care.
Your supportive periodontal care visits may include:
The interval between visits depends on your individual periodontal condition. Some patients may need visits every few weeks, while others may require maintenance every six months. Factors influencing the schedule include:
Dr. Rothstein works as part of a team with your general dentist to provide comprehensive care. While periodic visits to the periodontist are essential, they do not replace regular dental checkups. Your dentist remains responsible for overall dental health, including fillings, crowns, bridges, and other restorative needs. Both professionals stay informed about your progress to ensure the best outcomes.
By following Dr. Rothstein’s maintenance program, you can prevent periodontal disease—the leading cause of adult tooth loss—and keep your natural teeth for life. Consistent care helps you chew comfortably, smile confidently, and reduce future dental costs. Your commitment to supportive periodontal care is a commitment to lifelong oral health and well-being.
Periodontal maintenance, also called supportive periodontal therapy, is an ongoing program of professional care designed to keep gum disease under control after active treatment. The goal is to remove bacterial plaque and hardened calculus, monitor healing, and detect early signs of recurrence so problems can be treated quickly. Regular maintenance complements good home care and helps preserve gum and bone health over the long term.
This process is more thorough than a routine dental cleaning and is tailored to each patient’s periodontal condition. Providers focus on areas that are difficult to clean at home, track pocket depths, and evaluate the stability of previous treatments such as scaling and root planing or grafting. Consistent maintenance reduces the chance of progressive damage and supports retention of your natural teeth.
Unlike a routine prophylaxis, periodontal maintenance is performed for patients who have had periodontal disease or treatment and requires a more detailed assessment of the supporting structures of the teeth. Clinicians measure pocket depths, check for signs of inflammation or bleeding, and remove both supra- and subgingival calculus that may be inaccessible during a standard cleaning. Visits often include monitoring of restorations and evaluation of risk factors that influence gum health.
Periodontal maintenance appointments may use specialized instruments and techniques to reach below the gum line and are scheduled according to disease severity rather than on a fixed six-month timetable. The emphasis is on prevention of recurrence and stabilization of previously treated areas. This focused approach helps catch subtle changes before they lead to more significant problems.
Patients who have been treated for gingivitis or periodontitis, those with a history of periodontal surgery, and individuals with risk factors such as a history of aggressive disease typically need periodontal maintenance. People with systemic health concerns that affect healing, smokers, and patients with rapid plaque buildup may also require more frequent visits. Your periodontist will recommend a maintenance schedule based on the severity of disease and your response to therapy.
Even patients who feel symptom-free can harbor hidden periodontal issues, which is why maintenance is important for long-term monitoring. Regular professional care helps detect problems that are not obvious to the unaided eye and supports effective home care practices. Maintaining a consistent schedule is one of the best defenses against future tooth loss related to gum disease.
During a maintenance visit your periodontal provider will review any changes in medical history, examine gum tissues for inflammation or recession, and measure pocket depths around teeth to assess disease stability. The appointment typically includes removal of plaque and tartar above and below the gum line, assessment of oral hygiene, and personalized instruction to improve at-home care. X-rays or other imaging may be taken periodically to evaluate bone levels and detect changes not visible during the clinical exam.
Providers may also check restorations, evaluate bite relationships, and identify areas that require additional treatment or monitoring. In some cases, localized antimicrobials or desensitizing agents are applied or prescribed to address specific concerns. The visit is a comprehensive check to ensure previous periodontal therapy remains effective and to plan any necessary follow-up care.
Maintenance intervals are individualized and depend on factors such as the original severity of disease, how well a patient responds to treatment, the rate of plaque accumulation, and other health considerations. Some patients do well with visits every three months, while others may need shorter or longer intervals based on clinical findings. Your periodontist will recommend a schedule and adjust it as your condition changes over time.
Consistency is more important than a fixed time frame, so attending appointments as recommended allows clinicians to detect recurrence early and intervene when necessary. Missing scheduled maintenance appointments can allow disease to progress unnoticed. Regular visits protect the investment in prior periodontal therapy and help maintain oral function and comfort.
Yes. Periodontal maintenance plays a key role in preserving the health of dental implants, bone grafts, and soft tissue grafts by controlling bacterial accumulation and monitoring tissue stability. Specialized maintenance for implants focuses on preventing peri-implantitis through careful assessment of soft tissue health, probing where appropriate, and removal of biofilm with instruments safe for implant surfaces. For grafted sites, maintenance visits evaluate integration, tissue thickness, and signs of recession or inflammation.
The office of A R Periodontics, PC coordinates follow-up for implants and grafts to ensure interventions are timely and appropriate. Early detection of changes around implants or grafts allows for prompt management, which improves the likelihood of long-term success. Working closely with your restorative dentist ensures both the implant restoration and the supporting tissues remain healthy.
Effective home care is essential and includes thorough twice-daily brushing with a soft-bristled brush, daily interdental cleaning such as flossing or use of interdental brushes, and use of any adjunctive rinses recommended by your clinician. Technique matters: gentle, directed brushing and systematic interdental cleaning help disrupt plaque where it forms. Patients with specific needs may be instructed in the use of water flossers, antimicrobial rinses, or prescription agents to supplement mechanical cleaning.
Maintaining overall health habits also supports gum health, including a balanced diet, adequate hydration, and smoking avoidance. Report any signs of bleeding, increased mobility, or persistent bad breath to your provider promptly, as these may indicate a need for earlier professional evaluation. Combining excellent home care with scheduled maintenance creates the best environment for long-term periodontal stability.
Skipping maintenance can allow bacterial plaque and calculus to accumulate unchecked, which increases the risk of recurrent inflammation, pocket formation, and progressive loss of the supporting bone around teeth. Over time this can lead to tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss if not addressed. Delayed detection of changes also reduces the effectiveness of conservative interventions that might have been successful if performed earlier.
Beyond the mouth, uncontrolled periodontal inflammation can complicate management of systemic conditions such as diabetes and may contribute to overall inflammatory burden, so maintaining periodontal health supports general well-being. Regular maintenance appointments provide opportunities to reassess risk factors and modify care before more invasive procedures become necessary. Staying on a recommended schedule is a proactive step toward preserving oral function and comfort.
Personalization is based on clinical findings from your initial treatment, ongoing measurements such as pocket depths and bleeding on probing, medical history, lifestyle factors, and the presence of restorative work or implants. The frequency, techniques, and adjunctive therapies chosen reflect the unique pattern of disease and healing seen in each patient. Plans are adjusted over time in response to your progress and any new issues that arise.
A R Periodontics, PC emphasizes collaboration with your general dentist to coordinate care and ensure treatments are complementary. Communication between providers allows for shared decision-making about restorations, occlusion, and long-term monitoring. This tailored approach helps patients achieve stable, long-lasting oral health outcomes.
Prepare by bringing an updated list of medications and noting any changes in your medical history since your last visit, as systemic factors can affect periodontal health and treatment choices. Continue your usual oral hygiene before the appointment and be ready to describe your home care routine and any symptoms such as bleeding, sensitivity, or discomfort. If you are under the care of a specialist or have recent dental work, bring relevant documentation or inform the periodontist so they can review it.
Come with questions about your maintenance schedule, home care techniques, or concerns about specific areas in your mouth so the team can provide targeted education. If you have known allergies or require antibiotic premedication for other medical conditions, mention this when scheduling so appropriate arrangements can be made. Being prepared helps the visit run smoothly and ensures your maintenance plan reflects your current needs.
