Periodontal maintenance is the cornerstone of successful therapy. The goal is to prevent or minimize the occurrence and progression of periodontal disease, prevent tooth loss and monitor oral health. The addition of an adequate maintenance program is a key factor in the success of a variety of periodontal therapy techniques. Periodontal maintenance therapy is also critical for patients with implants in order to maintain peri-implant health.
Maintenance therapy is typically performed every 3 months and is personalized for each patient. The rationale behind this frequency is based on the time required for bacterial repopulation following treatment, with multiple studies showing clinical success with this interval. Occasionally, this schedule may need to be customized even further for some patient. Re-treatment is needed at times and is considered a part of the maintenance phase of periodontal therapy.