PERIODONTOLOGY
Periodontal maintenance
After periodontal treatment, regular follow-up is essential to stabilize the gums, preserve the teeth, and prevent the disease from recurring.
Schedule an initial consultation →Key points
Periodontal maintenance is the follow-up phase that comes after active treatment. It helps preserve the results achieved, prevent recurrence, and monitor the progression of the disease over the long term.
At 47VH in Nice, we set up a personalized maintenance program tailored to each patient’s level of risk.
Once periodontal disease has been stabilized, periodontal maintenance is essential to preserve the results of treatment. Periodontitis is a chronic disease: without regular follow-up, it can recur, even after several years without any apparent problem.
Susceptibility to periodontitis does not disappear after treatment. This is why only consistent follow-up can durably preserve periodontal health.
What do we do during maintenance sessions?
At each session, we:
- assess the condition of the gum and bone tissues,
- measure the depth of the periodontal pockets,
- assess the quality of plaque control,
- perform thorough cleaning of areas that are difficult to access,
- adjust oral hygiene techniques if necessary.
- detect any recurrence or risk area at an early stage.
Who should perform periodontal maintenance?
A periodontist should ideally perform maintenance, as they pay specific attention to the health of the gum tissues and bone and remain alert to early signs of recurrence. In addition, depending on your level of periodontal risk, we organize shared follow-up with your general dentist.
How often?
The frequency depends on your individual periodontal risk level. Therefore:
- Every 3 to 4 months for patients who have had severe periodontitis or associated risk factors — smoking, diabetes, or a history of recurrence.
- Every 6 months in certain lower-risk situations; in these cases, we space out the sessions after evaluation.
Bibliographic References
- Lang N.P., Tonetti M.S. — Periodontal risk assessment (PRA) for patients in supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). Oral Health Prev Dent, 2003. PubMed PMID 15643744
- Sanz M. et al. — Treatment of stage I–III periodontitis: the EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. J Clin Periodontol, 2020. PubMed PMID 32383274
- Axelsson P., Nyström B., Lindhe J. — The long-term effect of a plaque control program on tooth mortality, caries and periodontal disease in adults: results after 30 years of maintenance. J Clin Periodontol, 2004. PubMed PMID 15312097
- Tonetti M.S. et al. — Staging and grading of periodontitis: framework and proposal of a new classification and case definition. J Periodontol, 2018. PubMed PMID 29926952
- Tonoyan L., Mounier C., Fassy J., Leymarie S., Mouraret S., Monneyron P., Vincent-Bugnas S., Mari B., Doglio A. — Unveiling the etiopathogenic role of Epstein-Barr virus in periodontitis. J Dent Res, 2025. PubMed PMID 39876607
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Dr Sylvain Mouraret’s opinion
In my practice, periodontal maintenance is as important as the initial treatment phase. It allows us to stabilise the disease, reduce recurrence, and in some cases avoid the need for retreatment. The frequency of maintenance visits depends on the type of periodontitis, tissue quality, plaque control, and the patient’s inflammatory response. Periodontitis is a bacterial disease with an inflammatory component: we cannot permanently modify the patient’s immune background, but we can control the disease by regularly disrupting the bacterial biofilm.
FAQ
Is maintenance different from a standard scaling?
Yes — periodontal maintenance is more in-depth and more targeted than a routine scaling.
It includes a full periodontal probing, evaluation of plaque control, subgingival cleaning of high-risk areas, and radiographic follow-up when necessary. It is a therapeutic procedure, not a simple cleaning.
What happens if I stop maintenance?
Without regular maintenance, periodontitis can recur and once again destroy the supporting tissues.
Patients who discontinue their follow-up have a significantly higher risk of relapse, progressive bone loss, and, ultimately, tooth loss.
Is periodontal maintenance reimbursed?
Periodontal maintenance sessions are not covered by the National Health Insurance system.
Your supplementary health insurance may cover part of the cost, depending on the terms of your policy.
Is periodontal maintenance painful?
Sessions are generally well tolerated and cause little discomfort.
Some areas may be sensitive, particularly in the presence of residual inflammation or gingival recession. If needed, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia.
Can I have my maintenance done by my general dentist?
Yes, in some cases — this depends on your periodontal risk level.
For patients who have had severe periodontitis or significant risk factors, we recommend that maintenance be carried out at the practice by a periodontist. For more stable situations, shared follow-up with your general dentist can be organized.