Periodontal Maintenance vs. Dental Prophy Cleaning

 
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What is the Difference Between a Periodontal Maintenance and an Adult Prophy or Regular Dental Cleaning?

 

 

Adult Prophy

Dental Code D1110

Periodontal Maintenance

Dental Code D4910

Frequency of Care

Every 6 Months or 2 Treatments/Year

Every 3 Months or 4 Treatments/Year

Insurance Coverage Averages for the Procedure

Usually 2/Year at 50%-100% of the Fee

Usually 2/Year at 50%-100% of the Fee.

* It is uncommon, but some insurances may cover 60%-100% of all 4 annual visits.  We will verify your coverage prior to your appointment.

General Description of the Procedure


 The area above the yellow line in the image above illustrates the portion of your teeth that are cleaned and polished during an Adult Prophy visit.

 Adult Prophy:  Recall Appointment for a Patient With No History of Active Periodontal Disease Infection

An adult dental prophy is removal of bacterial deposits on the coronal (enamel) portion of your teeth. Patients receiving a prophy have not had bone loss, so their root surfaces are covered in bone.

 

                                                                         

The area above the yellow line in the image above illustrates the portion of your teeth that are cleaned and polished during a Periodontal Maintenance visit. 

Active Periodontal Disease Treatment:  Periodontal Disease is an infection deep below the gums that has caused bone loss. Patients with active disease have deep, inflamed, soft tissue pockets (gum pockets, greater than 4mm). Active disease requires Scaling and Root Planing treatment, commonly referred to as a “deep cleaning” or “SRP”.

 Periodontal Maintenance: Recall Appointment for a Patient with a History of Periodontal Disease Infection

 After successful periodontal disease treatment, deep soft tissue pockets resolve. However, the bone does not grow back to cover the root surfaces of teeth. For a patient with a history of periodontal disease, both the coronal (enamel) and root surfaces must be cleaned at recall appointments. Given the potential for bacteria to accumulate on root surfaces and the higher risk of re-occurrence of periodontal disease, periodontal maintenance visits are more frequent than dental prophy visits.

 

 

 

 

 



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