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Periodontal Maintenance in Fairbanks, AK Dentists recommend periodontal maintenance during every routine dental checkup. Periodontal cleaning is a preventive measure to reduce gum irritation, inflammation, and other gum diseases. At Fairbanks Periodontal Associates, Dr. Webster recommends periodontal maintenance to ensure your gums are free from bacteria and plaque buildup.What is Gum Disease?Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, result in bacterial buildup between the teeth and gums. It damages the soft tissues, and without immediate treatment, it destroys the bone that supports your teeth. In such conditions, the tartar accumulates four millimeters below the gums and creates pockets between the teeth and gums. Symptoms of gum disease include:
Why Periodontal Care Is ImportantPeriodontal maintenance is similar to regular teeth cleaning and is used to thoroughly clean the pockets of tartar around the gums and teeth and prevent damage to the surrounding teeth. It is important to keep your teeth and gums well-maintained. Periodontal care is also important to prevent a relapse of gum diseases. Periodontal care is a treatment used to combat periodontal diseases and involves scaling and root planing. Based on the severity of the gum disease, the dentist will assign a stage or grade to the periodontitis and determine the complexity of the treatment required. Periodontal Maintenance ProcedureThe periodontal maintenance procedure consists of the following steps: ReassessmentFirst, Dr. Webster will update your medical and dental history and reassess your oral hygiene level by measuring pockets, bleeding, mobility, and gum recession.DiagnosisPeriodontal maintenance therapy is recommended every three to four months. If patients follow this schedule, it reduces the need for extensive repeat treatment. New diseases and relapses can be detected based on the measurements collected. Clinical decay and periodontal examination are also conducted.TreatmentAfter diagnosis, a treatment plan will be developed based on your specific situation. Generally, the whole mouth is scaled. There are two ways to do this; supragingival (cleaning above the gum line to remove calculus and plaque) and subgingival (cleaning below the gum line).Scaling and root planing is also an effective treatment combination for periodontal diseases. Here, Dr. Webster removes the tartar buildup along the length of the teeth and stop where the teeth, bone, and gums meet. The procedure is completed using ultrasonic tools, and the dentists might add antibiotic fibers and place them in dental pockets. Root planing smooths the root surfaces and prevents bacteria and tartar buildup. Oral antibiotics are also used to control bacterial infections. Regular Cleaning vs. Periodontal MaintenanceRegular dental cleaning prevents oral infections and removes plaque and irritants from the teeth and gums. It is part of routine dental checkups and helps you maintain a confident smile. In contrast, periodontal maintenance is a deeper gum cleaning and removes tartar and plaque from gaps between the teeth and gums. Contact Us for a Consultation TodayTo schedule an appointment at Fairbanks Periodontal Associates for your periodontal maintenance, call us at (907) 455-7100 today. |
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Fairbanks Periodontal Associates
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