Periodontal Maintenance in Oak Park
If you've finished scaling and root planing or another gum disease treatment and are wondering what comes next, you're asking the right question. Gum disease is managed, not cured, so the care you receive after treatment matters as much as the treatment itself. At 805 Dentistry, our Thousand Oaks office helps Oak Park patients keep their gums stable with periodontal maintenance, ongoing visits designed for people with a history of periodontal disease.
Periodontal maintenance is a specialized cleaning for patients who have already been treated for gum disease. A routine cleaning focuses mainly on the visible surfaces of the teeth and just along the gumline. Maintenance goes further. We clean below the gums, into the pockets where bacteria tend to collect, and we monitor those areas closely for any sign that the disease is becoming active again.
Because our practice has a board-certified periodontist on staff, your maintenance care connects directly with the team that understands your gum history. If a pocket deepens or an area starts to bleed, we can talk through next steps in the same office. Those steps might include additional scaling and root planing, gum grafting, periodontal regeneration, or periodontal surgery, depending on what we find. Oak Park families who already see us for general or children's dentistry can keep their gum care under the same roof.
Each visit follows a consistent routine so we can compare your results over time. We begin by reviewing your health history and asking about any changes you've noticed, such as tenderness, bleeding, or loose-feeling teeth. Then we measure your gum pockets and compare those numbers with your previous records.
Here is what a typical appointment includes:
- Pocket measurements around each tooth to track gum attachment
- Removal of plaque and hardened tartar above and below the gumline
- Smoothing of root surfaces where bacteria tend to cling
- A check of any existing crowns, bridges, or dental implants, including implant maintenance
- Polishing and a review of your home care routine
We also take X-rays and perform an exam when they're due. Our office offers 2D and 3D dental imaging, which helps us check the bone that supports your teeth. If you feel anxious about dental visits, let us know. We offer nitrous oxide as well as oral and IV sedation.
Who needs periodontal maintenance instead of a regular cleaning?
You likely need periodontal maintenance if you've been diagnosed with and treated for gum disease. That includes patients who completed scaling and root planing, had periodontal surgery, or received gum grafts. Once the gums have been affected, the pockets around the teeth may stay deeper than normal, and a standard cleaning can't reach them well.
Patients with dental implants who have a history of gum problems also benefit, since the tissue around an implant needs careful monitoring. We see adults at many stages. Some Oak Park patients are coming to us for the first time after treatment elsewhere. Others are long-time patients whose gum health changed over the years. Either way, we start with an evaluation, and our periodontics team accepts patients without a referral.
How often will I need to come in, and what should I do between visits?
Most patients need periodontal maintenance more often than a typical twice-yearly cleaning. We set your schedule based on how your gums respond. Bacteria below the gumline can rebuild over a matter of months, so regular visits help us remove them before they cause new damage.
Between appointments, your daily habits carry much of the load. Brush gently along the gumline twice a day and clean between your teeth daily, paying attention to any areas we point out. Some mild sensitivity after a deep cleaning is common. If you notice bleeding that doesn't settle, swelling, or a tooth that feels different, call us rather than waiting for your next visit. We also offer emergency dental appointments when something can't wait.
Will my insurance cover periodontal maintenance, and is financing available?
Many dental plans include some coverage for periodontal maintenance, and we accept all major PPO insurance plans. Our periodontics services are filed as specialist claims. We're glad to help you understand your benefits before your visit so there are fewer surprises.
If you don't have insurance, we welcome self-pay patients. Financing is also available for those who'd like to spread out the cost of care, which can help if your maintenance plan follows more extensive gum treatment. Oak Park patients can call our Thousand Oaks office to ask about coverage, financing, and scheduling, and we'll help you build a plan that keeps your gums on track.