Maintenance

It only takes twenty four hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar)!  Daily home cleaning routines help control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention.

Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, Dr. Kamins and our dental hygienists will recommend that you have regular maintenance cleanings (Periodontal Maintenance), usually four times a year. 

Perio Maintenance (D1110): If you have been diagnosed with active periodontal disease and have undergone Debridement and Scaling and Root Planing, your return visits will be scheduled more frequently than twice a year.  Typically, the hygienist will recommend that you return every 3-4 months for professional cleaning and polishing.  At these appointments, our caring and gentle hygienists will monitor the areas of your mouth that were diagnosed with active disease, and discuss your treatment progress and review your home care.  Your treatment will be designed specifically for your areas of active disease and to help you maintain good oral health.

 Our mission is to provide you with instruction and education in order for you to maintain optimal oral health.  Working together with you, this is a truly achievable goal.  If you have any questions about this information please ask us.

Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control!

In addition to your periodontal cleaning and evaluation, your appointment will usually include:

• Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss.X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions. At Pacific Palisades Dentistry, we use radiographs as an important diagnostic tool, but only when they are absolutely necessary.

• Examination of existing restorations: Check for current fillings, crowns, etc, for breakdown or displacement 

• Examination of tooth decay: Check all tooth surfaces for decay. Dr. Kamins and our hygienists look for early signs of decay to prevent extensive, invasive procedures.

• Oral cancer screening:  Dr Kamins will check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, cheek tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer. We use the VELscope system to increase the odds of early detection.

• Oral hygiene recommendations: Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed. (Electric toothbrushes, special periodontal brushes, fluorides, rinses, etc.)

• Teeth polishing: Remove stain and plaque that are not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.