Periodontal Maintenance: How to Prevent the Recurrence of Periodontitis
Today we’re talking about the importance of periodontal maintenance. In the previous post we told you about periodontitis and explained that it’s a chronic disease, which can reappear if proper control and follow-up aren’t kept up. That’s why it’s essential that patients with periodontitis have periodontal maintenance, which consists of a series of periodic visits to the dentist to assess the state of the gums and bones, and carry out the treatments needed to stop the disease from advancing or reactivating.
Periodontal maintenance is personalised for each patient, according to the degree and type of periodontitis they have, the treatment they’ve received and the risk of recurrence they present. The dentist will determine the frequency and the duration of the visits, which can vary from every three months to every year.
Steps that periodontal maintenance should include:
– Clinical examination: the dentist examines the patient’s mouth, observing the colour, shape, texture and size of the gums, the position and mobility of the teeth, the depth of the periodontal pockets, the level of plaque and tartar, and the presence of bleeding, pus or bad breath.
– Radiographic examination: the dentist takes an X-ray of the patient’s mouth, to see the state of the alveolar bone and detect any sign of bone loss or infection.
– Treatment: the dentist carries out whatever treatment is needed to maintain the health of the gums and bones, which can be scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, antimicrobial therapy or regenerative therapy, depending on the case.
– Education and instruction: the dentist explains to the patient the importance of periodontal maintenance, gives them tips and recommendations to improve their oral hygiene and tells them when they should come back to the practice.
Periodontal maintenance is the key to preventing the recurrence of periodontitis and to keeping the teeth and oral health.
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Pedro’s story: how he got his smile back thanks to the treatment of periodontitis
To finish this post, we’d like to tell you the story of one of our patients, who suffered from periodontitis and was able to get his smile back thanks to our help. His name is Pedro, he’s 45 years old and he lives in Valencia, near our clinic in the Campanar neighbourhood.
Pedro came to our clinic a few months ago, worried about the appearance of his teeth and gums. He explained that he’d gone years without going to the dentist, out of fear and lack of time, and that he’d noticed that his gums bled when he brushed, that his teeth were moving and that he had bad breath. He also told us that he found it hard to chew and that he was ashamed to smile.
We did a clinical examination and an X-ray, and Dr Jose Pérez diagnosed advanced periodontitis, with a severe loss of bone and gum tissue. He explained that it was a serious disease, which could cause the loss of his teeth and affect his general health, and that he needed urgent treatment and periodontal maintenance.
Pedro, as is logical and common in these cases, got scared on hearing the diagnosis, but he also showed himself willing to follow the instructions and to cooperate with the treatment. He was offered a personalised action plan, which has consisted of the following steps:
– Scaling and root planing: Dr Jose Pérez did a deep cleaning of his teeth and roots, to remove the plaque and tartar that had built up in the periodontal pockets. He applied local anaesthetic and did the treatment in four sessions, one for each quadrant of the mouth.
– Periodontal surgery: surgery was later carried out to lift the gums and clean the bone with greater precision. The areas where he’d lost bone were also filled with a regenerative material, and his gums were repositioned to reduce the size of the pockets. Local anaesthetic was applied and the treatment was done in two sessions, one for each dental arch.
– Antimicrobial therapy: the doctor prescribed an oral antibiotic and a chlorhexidine mouthwash, to eliminate the bacteria that were causing the periodontitis and prevent infections. He told him to take the antibiotic for a week and to use the mouthwash twice a day for a month, after brushing and using dental floss.
– Regenerative therapy: collagen membranes were placed in the areas where he’d lost gum tissue, to stimulate its regeneration and improve the appearance of his gums. To carry out this treatment local anaesthetic was also used and the treatment could be done in one session, after the periodontal surgery.
Pedro followed the treatment with discipline and perseverance, and attended all the appointments that were scheduled for him. He also improved his oral hygiene at home, following all the tips and recommendations our specialists gave him. In addition, he was advised to stop smoking and, although initially he wasn’t keen… he finally stopped smoking, and changed his diet to a healthier one. 👏 👏 👏
After three months of treatment, Pedro came back to our clinic for a check-up and a professional cleaning. We did another clinical examination and an X-ray, and we were able to confirm that the treatment had been a success. His gums were healthy, pink and firm, his teeth were stable and clean, his periodontal pockets had decreased and his bone and gum tissue had regenerated.
Pedro was happy and grateful, he felt like new! And we were happy to be able to help him with our work to get his smile back and see him smiling again without shame. He told us that he’d recovered his confidence and his self-esteem, and that he could chew and smile without any problems. He also told us that he’d received more than one comment from those around him about his change of image.
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We congratulated him on his recovery, and reminded him of the importance of having periodontal maintenance: we scheduled his next periodic visit to do a follow-up and a professional cleaning of his gums and bones, and stop the periodontitis from reappearing. The doctor told him to come every four months, and to let us know if he noticed any change or discomfort in his mouth.
Pedro is still having his periodontal maintenance, and he’s very happy with the results. He told us at his last check-up a month ago that he feels healthier and happier, and that he’s found a partner who makes him smile every day. We love your stories and the trust that’s created at our practice!
Pedro’s story is an example of how periodontitis can affect people’s lives, and of how it can be treated and prevented with the help of a professional and good oral hygiene. If you too want to improve your oral health and your quality of life, don’t hesitate to contact us.
You can find us in Valencia at Avenida Maestro Rodrigo, 54, on our website, on our social media, and by contacting us by phone or WhatsApp.
We’re waiting for you with open arms and always with a big smile. 😁
At Clínica Dental Doctores Tarazona:
