Ongoing Care (PMV)
Regular maintenance is the most critical aspect of periodontal and/or implant therapy. It is a shared responsibility between you, your dentist and our office.
Periodontal Maintenance Visit (PMV)
In our office you may hear some terms that are new to you, such as Periodontal Maintenance Visit (PMV), instead of the term "cleaning" you have been used to hearing. We feel that cleaning teeth can be done by our patients at home with a toothbrush, floss or additional dental aids and recalls should be limited to the automotive industry. PMV or SPT, a procedure that is provided by our Periodontal Hygienist, is necessary to maintain your periodontal disease in an inactive state. These visits are often alternated with your general dental office. It is critical to long term treatment success that these visits occur at regular intervals recommended by Dr. Fuentes, generally every 10-12 weeks.
Below is a list of services that may be provided during this appointment:
- Update health history
- Blood pressure check, if necessary
- Ask for dental history changes
- Home care update
- Head and Neck exam
- Periodontal exam, probing and charting of significant changes
- Restorative exam
- Periodontal scaling and spot root planing
- Laser diode sterilization of active periodontal disease sites
- Polishing of the teeth
- Flossing
- Vertical bitewings, if necessary
Periodic Comprehensive Exam (PCE)
This exam, done every 1-2 years, gives the doctor the opportunity to completely review your dental health. The exam includes a oral cancer screening, periodontal evaluation (gum & bone) consisting of probing; pocket depths, bone levels, recession, points of bleeding, mobility and a bite evaluation as well as decay detection.This service may coincide with a complete series of dental x-rays (eighteen films every 2-3 years), This service is provided to our patients in order to maintain optimal dental health at the highest standard of care available.