Periodontal Maintenance at Sandgate Family Dental
Periodontal maintenance is ongoing care for people with a history of gum disease. It includes cleaning below the gum line, measuring gum pockets and reviewing home care. Visits are usually every three to four months. The aim is to keep gum disease stable, not to cure it.
If you have been told you have gum disease, or you have completed a course of gum treatment in the past, this is the type of visit that helps protect that work. Book an appointment online or call the practice.
Book online any time, or call us during opening hours, including Saturday mornings.
- 12 Lagoon St, Sandgate QLD 4017
- Open Saturday mornings, 8:00AM to 12:00PM
- Preferred provider for HCF, CBHS, nib and HIF
Periodontal maintenance at a glance
- Who it may suit
- People who have finished active gum treatment. It may also suit people with pockets that need monitoring, a history of bone loss, or risk factors such as smoking or diabetes.
- How it differs from a clean
- Cleaning goes below the gum line into the pockets. Pocket depths are measured, and visits are longer and more frequent.
- How long and how often
- Most visits take around 45 to 60 minutes. They’re usually every three to four months.
- What affects results
- Outcomes vary. They depend on home care, smoking, general health and keeping regular visits.
- Health funds
- Preferred provider for HCF, CBHS, nib and HIF; approved provider for Smile.com.au. What you get back depends on your policy, cover and limits. Common item numbers include 114, 222 and 121.
- Where and when
- 12 Lagoon St, Sandgate QLD 4017 · (07) 3269 6252
Mon–Thurs 8:30AM–5:00PM · Fri 8:30AM–4:00PM · Sat 8:00AM–12:00PM
On this page
- Why patients are placed on periodontal maintenance
- How periodontal maintenance differs from a routine scale and clean
- About the appointment
- Why early and ongoing care matters
- Who periodontal maintenance may suit
- Health funds and payment
- Periodontal maintenance FAQs
- Related information
- Book your next maintenance visit
What happens at your visit
- Book online, or call (07) 3269 6252.
- We update your medical history. Then we gently measure the pockets around each tooth and compare them with past visits.
- We clean above and below the gum line, then polish your teeth.
- We plan your home care and set your next visit, usually in three or four months.
Why patients are placed on periodontal maintenance
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an inflammatory condition affecting the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. Once it has progressed beyond simple gingivitis, the supporting tissues do not fully return to their original state — the goal of care shifts to stabilising the condition and preventing further loss.
You may be on a periodontal maintenance schedule if you have:
- Completed active gum treatment such as deep cleaning under the gum line
- Periodontal pockets that need ongoing monitoring
- A history of bone loss visible on X-rays
- Persistent gum recession or tooth mobility
- Risk factors that influence gum health, such as smoking or diabetes
- Dental implants that need careful long-term care — see our implant aftercare information
For background on the condition itself, see our information on gum disease treatment.
How periodontal maintenance differs from a routine scale and clean
A standard scale and clean focuses on the tooth surface and gum line, and suits patients with generally healthy gums. Periodontal maintenance goes further:
- Cleaning extends below the gum line to remove plaque and calculus from within periodontal pockets.
- Pocket depths are measured at multiple sites around each tooth to track changes over time.
- Visits are more frequent — typically every three to four months rather than six-monthly.
- Appointments are longer to allow for the additional cleaning and monitoring.
- Home care is reviewed in detail, including interdental brushes, floss technique, and any prescription rinses.
The aim is not to “cure” gum disease — it is to keep it stable, protect the bone you have, and slow further changes.
About the appointment
A periodontal maintenance visit is a careful, structured appointment. Most run for around 45 to 60 minutes.
1. Updated medical history
We will ask about general health, medications, and any changes since your last visit. Conditions such as diabetes, pregnancy, and certain medications influence gum health, and we adjust care accordingly.
2. Periodontal charting
Six points around each tooth are gently checked with a small probe to measure pocket depths and bleeding. The results are recorded and compared with previous visits.
3. Detailed scaling above and below the gum line
Ultrasonic and hand instruments are used to remove plaque and calculus from inside the pockets as well as the visible tooth surface. Local anaesthetic is available if any areas are sensitive.
4. Polish and antimicrobial measures
After scaling, a polish removes surface staining and smooths the tooth. We may also apply a topical fluoride or recommend an antimicrobial mouthrinse depending on your situation.
5. Tailored home care plan
We will work through which tools are right for you — interdental brushes of the correct size, floss, single-tufted brushes, or a water flosser. The right home care is what makes the biggest difference between visits.
6. Review and recall planning
Together we set the next recall interval — usually three or four months — and flag any sites that may need closer attention or a referral to a specialist periodontist.
Why early and ongoing care matters
Periodontal disease is usually slow and silent. Many patients have no pain even when significant bone loss is present. Ongoing maintenance helps in several ways:
- It reduces the bacterial load that drives the disease
- It helps the tissues stay firmer and less inflamed
- It allows small changes to be picked up early
- It supports the longevity of restorations, crowns, and implants
- It contributes to general health, given the recognised links between gum inflammation and conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Outcomes vary and depend strongly on home care, smoking status, general health, and how regularly maintenance visits are kept.
Who periodontal maintenance may suit
This type of care is generally appropriate for patients who have:
- Been diagnosed with chronic periodontitis
- Completed active periodontal treatment
- A family history of significant gum disease and early signs of pocketing
- Implants placed in a previously periodontally compromised mouth
- Risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, or immunosuppression
If your gums are generally healthy and you do not have a history of bone loss, a routine scale and clean is usually more appropriate. Your dentist will recommend the right approach for you.
Health funds and payment
Sandgate Family Dental is a HICAPS provider. Where you have eligible cover for periodontal care, we can process the claim at the practice and you only need to pay any gap.
Rebates vary by policy and annual limits. Item numbers commonly used at periodontal maintenance visits include 114 (removal of calculus), 222 (treatment of periodontal pocket per tooth), and 121 (topical fluoride). Your fund can confirm your entitlements before treatment. See our preventive cover information for more.
Periodontal maintenance FAQs
How often will I need to come in?
Most patients on periodontal maintenance are seen every three to four months. Some stable patients move to every six months over time; some need closer intervals during active phases.
Is periodontal maintenance the same as a “deep clean”?
No. A deep clean (scaling and root planing) is part of active gum treatment. Periodontal maintenance is the ongoing care that follows once the disease is stabilised.
Will I need local anaesthetic?
Sometimes. If certain areas are tender or pockets are deeper, a small amount of local anaesthetic keeps the visit comfortable. Many maintenance visits are completed without it.
Does it ever go back to a regular clean?
If your gums stabilise over the long term and home care is well established, your dentist may discuss extending the interval. The decision is based on your charting, X-rays, and risk profile.
Can I still get gum disease if I have implants?
Yes. The tissues around implants can develop peri-implant inflammation in a similar way. Maintenance visits include checking around implants and reinforcing home care.
Will smoking affect the outcome?
Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for progression of gum disease and reduces how well the gums respond to care. We are happy to discuss support options if you are thinking of cutting down or stopping.
What if I have not had a clean in years?
That is fine. We will start with a careful assessment, often spread initial cleaning across two visits, and build the maintenance plan from there.
Related information
- Preventive dentistry
- General dentistry
- Gum disease treatment
- Scale and clean
- Implant aftercare
- Diabetes and dental care
- Preventive cover
Book your next maintenance visit
Keeping to your maintenance schedule is the single most useful thing you can do to protect the gum work you have already had done. Book an appointment online or phone the practice to arrange your next visit.
Been a while, or feeling tender?
If you haven’t had a clean in years, that’s fine. We start with a careful assessment and often spread the first cleaning across two visits. Local anaesthetic is available if any areas are sensitive.
Visiting us
Sandgate Family Dental, 12 Lagoon St, Sandgate QLD 4017 · (07) 3269 6252
Mon–Thurs 8:30AM–5:00PM · Fri 8:30AM–4:00PM · Sat 8:00AM–12:00PM
Book online (opens in a new tab)
Or call (07) 3269 6252