31
May
Prophylaxis vs. Periodontal Maintenance
If you seek a simple dental cleaning but are billed for “periodontal maintenance,” you may have many questions for the dental team. If Dr. Natalie K. Provenzano or anyone on her Team has encouraged periodontal maintenance, you may be curious to know the difference between that and a regular dental cleaning, known as prophylaxis. With the help of our San Jose, California area team, you can learn the difference between the two and why one may be recommended over another.
What is Prophylaxis, or a “Prophy?”
A regular dental cleaning known as prophylaxis is recommended for healthy mouths without bone loss, infection, or periodontal disease. These patients will often not present with problems such as gum recession, pockets four millimeters or larger, or bleeding while brushing and flossing the teeth. The purpose of this cleaning is to remove stains, plaque, and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth and along the gumline. Most patients will benefit from prophylaxis every six months, and typically dental insurance providers will cover these in full as preventative dentistry.
What is Periodontal Maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance is a deeper cleaning than traditional prophylaxis. This cleaning is done if you have the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease, even the earliest stage known as gingivitis. You may have inflamed and deep pockets, gum recession, bone loss, infection, or bleeding gums. Getting a complete evaluation is the best way to determine if you have periodontal disease and can benefit from this type of cleaning. Additionally, the dental team may recommend antibiotics if an infection is present and needs to be under control.
Which Do I Need?
Your dental team will evaluate your teeth and gums to determine which solution you could benefit from. Regardless of which you qualify for, it is always a wise choice to consider your dentist’s recommendations to achieve and maintain oral health and wellness.
How Do I Learn More?
If you are due for regular prophylaxis or periodontal maintenance at the recommendation of your dental team, it may be time to work with Dr. Natalie K. Provenzano and her Team. The office is located at 6020 Hellyer Avenue, Suite 100 in San Jose, California, and can be reached by phone at (408) 226-2542.
Share this Article
Dr. Or Simel
Dr. Natalie Provenzano has been practicing dentistry since 2002 when she graduated from the University of Southern California Dental School in the class’ top 10. She served on the school’s ethics committee and was a member of the Oral Sedation Team and the National Dental Honor Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. She also received the American Association of Women Dentists’ Female Dentist of the Year Award.
Also an alumnus of Loyola Marymount University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Biology, Dr. Provenzano was an active member of Ignatians Service Organization and Delta Gamma Fraternity and was chosen for the Order of Omega and Delta Sigma Nu Honor Societies.
Oral surgeon Dr. Or Simel has been practicing dentistry since 2009. He is a graduate of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry (DDS), UCSF School of Medicine (MD), Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, (BS/Biology), and UCSF School of Dentistry (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery). He graduated Summa Cum Laude and was on the Dean’s List, and National Dental Honor Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
He is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Dental Association, and California Dental Association.
Together, they provide exceptional general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry to patients of all ages in the area.