Periodontal Maintenance
Supportive Periodontal Care
After Dr. Cho has completed the active phase of periodontal treatment, your periodontal disease will be under control. He will provide you with a personalized maintenance program of care to keep your gums healthy.
Maintenance therapy is an ongoing program designed to prevent disease in the gum tissues and bone supporting your teeth. Adherence to a program of conscientious home oral care and regularly scheduled maintenance therapy visits with your dentist and Dr. Cho will give you an excellent chance of keeping your teeth for your lifetime.
Why is supportive periodontal care important?
As you have learned, you are susceptible to gum disease. And, you have probably learned, too, that the main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. The bacteria in this plaque produce toxins, or poisons, which constantly attack your gums and teeth. Unless plaque is removed, it hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Daily brushing and flossing will help to minimize the formation of calculus, but it won’t completely prevent it. No matter how careful you are in cleaning your teeth and gums, bacterial plaque can cause a recurrence of gum disease from two to four months after your last professional cleaning. Therefore, a dental professional must check for hidden problems and remove the hardened plaque at time intervals appropriate for you so that your teeth and gums stay healthy.
Who should perform supportive periodontal therapy?
The answer depends on you and the severity of your gum disease before treatment. Generally, the more severe your periodontal disease is initially, the more often Dr. Cho needs to oversee your care. Together, you, your general dentist and Dr. Cho will work out the most effective schedule for your supportive periodontal care.
Your maintenance/supportive periodontal care visit may include:
- discussion of any changes in your health history
- examination of your mouth tissues for abnormal changes
- measurement of the depth of pockets around your teeth
- assessment of your oral hygiene habits and provision of instruction
- removal of bacterial plaque and tartar
- x-ray film studies to evaluate your teeth and the bone supporting your teeth
- examination of your teeth for decay and other dental problems
- checkup on the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- application or prescription of medications to reduce tooth sensitivity or other problems you may have.
How often should you have supportive periodontal care visits?
Your periodontal condition is the deciding factor. The interval between your supportive periodontal care (spc) visits might be as often as every few weeks or as frequent as every six months. Everyone’s situation is different. The frequency of your supportive care visits will be influenced by:
- the type of periodontal disease you have
- the type of periodontal treatment you have
- your response to treatment
- your rate of plaque growth
- your personal commitment to good oral care at home.
What is the relationship between your dentist and Dr. Cho?
Your dentist and Dr. Cho work together as a team to provide you with the best possible care. They combine their experience to formulate the best maintenance plan for you. They keep each other informed about your progress. Although Dr. Cho may see you periodically for maintenance therapy, you will need to see your general dentist as well. Appointments for periodontal maintenance do not replace regular dental checkups. If Dr. Cho detects tooth decay during a maintenance visit, he will refer you to your general dentist for treatment. Your general dentist is primarily responsible for your overall dental health, including such dental needs as filling new or recurrent cavities or making changes in fillings, crowns or bridges.
To prevent periodontal disease, the major cause of tooth loss in adults—and keep your natural teeth for your lifetime—carefully and conscientiously follow the guidelines of the maintenance program that Dr. Cho recommends. Protecting your periodontal health through preventive maintenance has great benefits for you. You will be able to chew with more comfort, and you will be able to smile and speak with greater confidence. You will be able to keep dental costs down by preventing future problems. Your commitment to maintenance therapy is your commitment to your better oral health.
Top Rated Dentists in Carlsbad
Jessica Grimmett2021-09-16I was very impressed with Dr Cho and his staff! Very organized and efficient. Ashleigh is amazing! Totally on top of everything. I had crown lengthening done and the experience was great! No pain at all and Dr Cho walked me through everything so I knew what was happening and what to expect next. Ariel and Dr Cho work great together! They gave me post op instructions verbally and Ashleigh also gave me instructions on paper so I know how to care for the area when I get home. I will definitely refer my friends and family to Dr Cho in the future!
Lafave Silver2021-08-05I am so happy with my results after Dr. Cho performed a gum surgery on me to fix my gummy smile. He made the process fast and painless and made sure to explain everything thoroughly to me. I would definitely recommend visiting his office!
Cyndy Hamasaki2021-02-06As the wife of a retired Dentist, I am fortunately accustomed to excellent dental care. Dr. William Cho and his entire staff exceeded my expectations and exemplify the very best of outstanding periodontal care. Dr. Cho is not only well trained, he strives to care for all his patients with outstanding and diligent skills explaining each step of every periodontal procedure. I recommend Dr. Cho with the highest of accolades possible. Thank you Dr. Cho! Cyndy Hamasaki
Pantelis Vassilakis (acousticslab)2021-02-04Dr. Cho was thorough, quick, clear, and direct in his exam and assessment of our daughter, visiting for a possible labial frenectomy. He has earned our full trust. Highly recommended. The front office is efficient as courteous. The entire operation is a caring, effective, and efficient well-oiled medical machine :-). Congrats!
Kirsten Davis2021-01-21I have been going to Dr. Cho for at least the last 5 years, and I highly recommend him and his practice to everyone I know who's looking for a quality periodontist. After many years of getting the run-around or getting too short "perio quadrant scaling cleanings" from traveling periodontists working with NO oversight from the dental providers they partner with, I finally realized that I needed to find someone with extra expertise and integrity. I feel Dr. Cho has both. I have had regular cleanings, deep cleanings and 1 implant surgery with him. Very happy with his care!
Elmer Catapang2021-01-08Dr. Cho is a very professional and knowledgeable periodontist. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
Diane Hanson2020-12-23Dr. Cho has been with me thru the years. He always is helpful and give great advise as well as referrals. I know I can count on him as I have for over a decade.
JT “Answerman20000” Y2020-12-01Dr. Cho cares about each patient and recommends the right procedure and considers the cost to the patient. His work is thorough and answers all questions asked. He also asks questions to understand why they are visiting his practice and any background before making any recommendation. He made me feel very comfortable and I felt he was the Periodontist for me..
Dr Cho Is An Implant Specialist
Interested in a dental implant but don’t know whether or not you are a good candidate? Schedule an appointment with us to learn more about dental implants.
