How Much Does Periodontal Maintenance Cost?

How Much Does Periodontal Maintenance Cost?

There isn't a standardized periodontal maintenance cost․ The cost of your periodontal maintenance appointment depends on your periodontal treatment in the past‚ the condition of your gums right now‚ the amount of tartar buildup in your mouth‚ and how often you go in for your appointments․ A dental exam is usually needed before your provider gives you a price estimate․

A periodontal maintenance involves more time‚ skill, and care than a traditional dental cleaning․ It is used to treat patients with severe gum disease who need consistent care to prevent their periodontitis from worsening․ During your maintenance visit‚ your dental hygienist may clean below the gumline and/or around the surfaces on which bacteria and tartar tend to amass․ It may take longer and require more specialized care․

Your periodontal health is the key determining factor when it comes to the budget for your periodontal maintenance․ If your periodontal disease is able to be controlled with regular cleanings at a consistent interval, the treatments will be simpler and less time-consuming. Should there be persistent inflammation‚ bleeding‚ deep pockets‚ or a considerable amount of tartar buildup‚ the treatment will be more invasive or complex․

The number of times you need maintenance appointments will affect your yearly costs․ Because the bacteria that causes periodontitis takes about 90 days to settle in, the dentist may recommend maintenance visits as often as every three months․ Remaining on schedule allows your dental professionals to identify changes in your oral health and maintain gains from previous treatment․

Insurance coverage is another part of the financial equation․ Dental insurance plans may cover periodontal maintenance‚ and the level of coverage varies widely․ Some plans have a limit on how frequently the procedure is covered‚ while others require you to meet a deductible before receiving certain benefits․ If you have a dental insurance policy, take the time to verify if coverage applies to avoid extra fees․

Some practices may offer payment plans to patients that do not have insurance or those whose insurance fees for some of the procedures are not covered․ Other practices offer financing‚ an in-house membership plan‚ or other options to pay for recurring care․ Ask about these options before receiving care to understand your out-of-pocket costs․

Although periodontal maintenance involves an investment‚ keeping your gums healthy may eliminate the need later for more advanced therapy․ Untreated periodontal disease can destroy the bone that supports the teeth‚ ultimately resulting in tooth loss․ Once damage has occurred‚ treatment may also involve more expensive procedures․

Regular check-ups with your dentist allow them to monitor your condition over time․ They can also compare the gum measurements taken during previous visits to determine if some areas require extra attention and make recommendations for modifying your treatment plan․ This continued monitoring is one part of managing a long-term dental condition․

If you have more questions about periodontal maintenance or how it could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if periodontal maintenance is a part of the best treatment plan for you.

Related Article: Periodontal Maintenance vs Regular Cleaning