Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning in Grove City Ohio
If you have been treated for gum disease, your care does not end when the treatment does. Periodontal maintenance cleaning is the follow-up care that keeps your gums healthy after a deep cleaning, so the infection does not come back. At Grove City Center for Dentistry, Dr. Bryan Simone, Dr. Kyle Lowe and our hygiene team treat you like family, and that includes explaining exactly what your visit involves and why.
Understanding periodontal maintenance cleaning
Periodontal maintenance, also called a periodontal cleaning or perio cleaning, is a therapeutic cleaning for patients who have active or past gum disease. Gum disease is a bacterial infection that harms the soft tissue and the bone that support your teeth. It cannot be cured, but it can be controlled, and regular maintenance is how we control it.
During your visit we clean above and below the gumline, into the pockets around each tooth. This removes the bacteria and buildup that home care cannot reach, calms inflammation, and helps protect the bone that holds your teeth in place.
Periodontal maintenance vs. a standard cleaning (prophy)
A standard cleaning, called a prophylaxis or “prophy”, is preventive care for healthy mouths. We remove plaque, tartar and stain from above the gumline to prevent cavities and gum disease.
Periodontal maintenance is treatment care. Once gum disease is present, prevention is no longer the goal. The goal is to manage the condition and stop it from getting worse. That takes more time, more skill and more targeted work below the gumline, which is why it is scheduled and billed as a different procedure. Here is how the two compare:
Standard cleaning (prophy)
- Who it’s for: healthy gums, minimal plaque and tartar, no bone loss, no history of gum disease.
- Goal: prevent cavities and gum disease.
- What we do: remove plaque, tartar and stain above the gumline.
- How often: every 6 months.
Periodontal maintenance
- Who it’s for: active or past gum disease, including patients who have had scaling and root planing.
- Goal: treat and manage gum disease.
- What we do: a deeper cleaning below the gumline, into the gum pockets, to control bacteria, reduce inflammation and protect the bone.
- How often: every 3 to 4 months, as your dentist advises.
Patients who need periodontal maintenance
You may need periodontal maintenance if you:
- Have been diagnosed with gum disease (periodontitis)
- Have had scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
- Have a history of gum disease, bone loss or deep gum pockets
- Have had gum surgery or other periodontal treatment
Your dentist will let you know which type of cleaning fits your gum health. It is based on your exam and gum measurements, not on preference or cost. Most patients come every 3 to 4 months, and your dentist will set the schedule that fits your gums. This is more often than the every-6-month schedule for a standard cleaning, because bacteria below the gumline grow back faster than most people expect.
Periodontal maintenance FAQs
Is periodontal maintenance the same as a deep cleaning?
No. Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) treats gum disease. Periodontal maintenance is the follow-up care that keeps the disease controlled afterward.
Why does periodontal maintenance cost more than a regular cleaning?
It is a different procedure. It treats and manages a disease, takes more time and clinical skill, and works below the gumline. A regular cleaning prevents problems in a healthy mouth. Our team is happy to go over the details with you before your visit.
Does insurance cover periodontal maintenance?
Coverage varies by plan. Many plans handle it differently than a regular cleaning, and our team can help you check your benefits.
Can I go back to regular cleanings once my gums are healthy?
Usually not. Gum disease can return without maintenance, so most patients stay on a periodontal maintenance schedule. Your dentist will advise you.
Does periodontal maintenance hurt?
Most patients are comfortable. If your gums are tender, tell your hygienist, and we will adjust.
Schedule your periodontal maintenance cleaning in Grove City
Grove City Center for Dentistry provides periodontal maintenance cleaning for patients in Grove City, and we welcome patients from nearby communities too, including Groveport, Commercial Point, Urbancrest, Harrisburg and Orient. If you have a history of gum disease, or you are not sure which cleaning is right for you, our team is here to help. Call us at (614) 875-3141 or schedule your visit online, and we will check your gums, explain what we find and help you choose the right plan.
