Why choose us
Benefits of Periodontal Maintenance
Keeps Gums Stable
Regular deep-cleaning visits help keep gum disease under control after treatment.
Protects Your Teeth
Healthy gums and bone help support your natural teeth, crowns and bridges.
Supports Dental Work
Clean, healthy gums give implants, bridges and partials a stronger foundation.
Same Doctor Every Visit
Dr. Buitrago and our team follow your gum health over time and know your history.
Early Problem Detection
Frequent visits let us spot changes in your gums before they become larger problems.
Periodontal maintenance is an ongoing cleaning program for adults who have been treated for gum disease and need continued care to help keep their gums and the bone around their teeth stable. A routine cleaning works well for healthy gums. After gum disease, the pockets around your teeth can collect bacteria faster and deeper than a standard cleaning reaches. For many of our patients in Coral Springs and nearby communities, these visits make the difference between keeping their natural teeth and facing more involved treatment later.
Periodontal maintenance is a specialized cleaning that usually follows scaling and root planing, the deep cleaning we use to treat active gum disease. Once that first round of treatment is complete, the goal shifts from treating infection to protecting the progress you have made. During each maintenance visit, our team cleans above and below the gumline, removes hardened buildup, and checks the depth of the pockets around each tooth.
Gum disease is a chronic condition. Bacteria can return to the same areas where it started, often without pain or obvious warning signs. Bleeding when brushing, gums that look puffy or pulled back, or a persistent bad taste can all point to activity below the surface. Regular maintenance lets us find these changes early, while they are easier to manage.
The best candidates are teens and adults who have already been diagnosed with gum disease and have completed initial treatment such as scaling and root planing. This includes patients whose disease was caught early and patients with a longer history of bone and gum changes. It is also common among our Medicare-age patients, who often have crowns, bridges or partial dentures that rely on healthy gums and bone for support.
Your maintenance schedule is based on your mouth, not on a standard calendar. Some patients need more frequent visits at first, and we may adjust the timing as we see how your gums respond. Because Dr. Buitrago sees you at every visit, the same doctor follows your progress over time and can notice small changes from one appointment to the next. Patients who also have implants or restorations benefit from this continuity. Healthy gums are part of what keeps that work in good condition.
How is periodontal maintenance different from a regular cleaning?
The main difference is depth and purpose. A regular cleaning is preventive care for healthy gums and focuses mostly on the tooth surfaces at and above the gumline. Periodontal maintenance goes beneath the gumline into pockets that have been affected by disease.
Each visit also includes careful measurement and evaluation, so we can compare your gum health with earlier visits. If an area starts to show signs of trouble, we can address it promptly. That might mean focused cleaning of a specific spot, a change in your home routine, or further gum disease treatment if it is needed. Patients who are anxious about dental visits can ask about oral sedation, which we offer and can discuss during planning.
What should I do at home between visits?
Daily home care is the other half of periodontal maintenance, and it matters as much as your appointments. Our team will show you which areas need extra attention and suggest tools that suit your mouth, especially around crowns, bridges or partials, where plaque tends to collect.
A few habits make a real difference:
- Brushing twice a day, paying close attention to the gumline
- Cleaning between teeth daily with floss or the aids our team recommends
- Keeping every scheduled maintenance visit, even when your gums feel fine
- Telling us about bleeding, tenderness, loose teeth or changes in your bite
Results depend on many factors, including your overall health and how consistently you keep up with care. We cannot promise a specific outcome, but we can give you a clear picture of where your gums stand at each visit and an honest plan for what comes next.
How can I pay for periodontal maintenance?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and our front office will help you understand your coverage before treatment. Many plans treat periodontal maintenance differently from routine cleanings, so we review those details with you up front.
We also welcome self-pay patients. If you would like to spread out the cost of care, we offer financing through CareCredit, including 0% and low-interest options, and we accept all major credit cards. Our goal is to make ongoing gum care something you can plan for without surprises.
How do I schedule my next periodontal maintenance visit?
You can call our office to book your visit, and our team will find a time that fits your schedule. We are located at 2232 N University Drive, Suite B, in Coral Springs, and we see patients from Parkland, Coconut Creek, Margate, Tamarac, Sunrise, Boca Raton and surrounding areas.
If it has been a while since your last gum treatment, or you are not sure whether you need maintenance or a standard cleaning, that is a good reason to come in. We will look at your gums, explain what we find in plain language, and help you keep your smile healthy for years to come.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Exam and Evaluation
We check your gums and teeth to see how they are responding after gum disease treatment.
- 2
Thorough Cleaning
Our hygienist removes plaque and tartar above and below the gumline.
- 3
Ongoing Care Plan
We set a visit schedule that fits your needs and review home care steps with you.