Periodontal Maintenance

Supportive Periodontal Care

Dr. Adornato and her entire staff are totally committed to improving your periodontal health during active care.  But their concern for your continued health doesn’t stop after you have completed your active periodontal or dental implant therapy. Dr. Adornato works closely with your General Dentist to minimize your risk of recurrence.  Our office offers you a personalized maintenance program of care to keep your gums and jawbones healthy for years to come. Maintenance therapy is an ongoing program designed to prevent disease in the gum tissues and the jawbones supporting your teeth.  A program of conscientious home oral care, coupled with regularly scheduled maintenance visits at your General Dentist and Dr. Adornato‘s office, will provide you with an excellent opportunity for keeping your teeth and dental implants for your lifetime.

Fill out our Appointment Form or call us at Ann Marie Adornato DMD, MSD, PC Periodontics and Dental Implants Phone Number 315-451-7151 if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Adornato today!

Why is supportive periodontal care important?

As you have learned, you are susceptible to gum and jawbone diseases. Periodontal diseases are never cured, but they can be well controlled like other chronic diseases (ie. diabetes, heart disease).  Why can’t we cure periodontal disease?  Because the main cause of these gum and jawbone diseases is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. The bacteria in this plaque produce toxins, and poisons that constantly attack your gums, jawbones and teeth. Unless plaque is routinely removed, it hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Daily brushing and flossing will only help to minimize the formation of calculus, but it won’t completely prevent it. No matter how careful you are in cleaning your teeth and gums, bacterial plaque can reset the toxic formations that will cause a recurrence of periodontal disease within two to four months since your last professional cleaning. That is why an in-office dental maintenance program is so important to maintaining your oral health.  A professional must check for hidden problems and professionally remove the hardened plaque at timed intervals appropriate for you to prevent relapse.

Who should perform supportive periodontal therapy?

The answer depends on you and the severity of your periodontal disease before treatment. Generally, a more severe  periodontal disease case type will need to be monitored by Dr. Adornato‘s office more closely following active care. Dr. Adornato always collaborates with your General Dentist to develop a program that is right for you.   Together, you, your general dentist and Dr. Adornato will develop the most effective schedule for your long-term supportive periodontal care.

Your maintenance/supportive periodontal care visit may include:

  • discussion of any changes in your health history
  • examination of your gum tissues and jawbones for abnormal changes
  • measurement of the depth of pockets around your teeth
  • assessment of your oral hygiene habits and provision of instruction
  • thorough removal of bacterial plaque and tartar that causes periodontal disease and tooth decay
  • x-ray film studies to evaluate your teeth and the bones supporting your teeth, only when needed
  • examination of your teeth for decay and other dental problems
  • checkup on the way your teeth fit together when you bite
  • application or prescription of medications to reduce tooth sensitivity or other any problems.
  • oral cancer screening

How often should you have supportive periodontal care visits?

Your periodontal condition is the deciding factor. The interval between your supportive periodontal care visits will be developed specifically for your needs.   Everyone’s situation is different. The frequency of your supportive care visits will be influenced by:

  • the type of periodontal disease you suffer from
  • the type of periodontal treatment used to control your case
  • your personal response to treatment
  • your rate of plaque growth
  • your personal commitment to good oral care at home
  • habits, such as smoking, that may cause additional harm

    What is the relationship between your General Dentist And Dr. Adornato?

Your General Dentist and Dr. Adornato work together as a team to provide you with the best long-term supportive care.  They combine their experience to formulate the best maintenance plan for you. Each office will keep the other informed about your progress. Although Dr. Adornato and his staff may see you periodically for maintenance therapy, you will need to see your General Dentist as well. Appointments for periodontal maintenance do not replace regular dental checkups. If Dr. Adornato detects tooth decay during a maintenance visit, he will refer you to your General Dentist for treatment. Your General Dentist is primarily responsible for your general dental health, including the repair of new or recurrent decay, the fabrication of crowns and bridges.  General Dentists also fabricate removable partial dentures and full dentures.  Dr. Adornato, as a Periodontist, does not provide any of these services.

Protecting your periodontal health through preventive maintenance has great benefits for you. You will be able to chew with more comfort.  You will also be able to smile and speak with greater confidence. Effective periodontal maintenance is the most cost effective way to keep your dental costs controlled by preventing future problems. A strong commitment to maintenance therapy is your commitment to your better oral health.