Our Dental Maintenance Program

Maintenance Care is Different than “Getting your Teeth Cleaned”

Each Patient's Maintenance Program is Individualized

Although the standard, every-six-month cleaning and exam has been the default dental maintenance program for many decades, we find it appropriate for only some patients. Patients are unique individuals and most are not well served by default prescriptions. We believe in customized, patient-specific maintenance care programs. This is the case regarding “cleaning” frequency as well as clinical and x-ray examination frequencies. Similarly, programs for monitoring of gum recession and tooth position changes must be customized and established.

For example, the default maintenance program calls for taking of x-rays that show decay in the head-of-the tooth (called Bitewing x-rays) every six months. Some of our patients have x-rays made on a five year basis, for they do not need more frequent x-rays. Some receive a twenty-film set of x-rays (called a Full Mouth Series) every year – because that is what is necessary to responsibly manage their level of disease susceptibility. Similarly, some patients see us one time a year for cleaning and examination; others see us every four weeks, for their needs are greater. The former group enjoys their relative freedom from dental problems. The latter group, which needs the increased level of care, considers their monthly appointment like a hair appointment – just a regular part of their life.

We Don't “Watch” Or “Keep An Eye On” Problems – That's Often Tantamount To “Watchful Neglect”

In our program, we employ the best methods of monitoring changes in our patients' teeth, bones and gums so as to know if potential problems become problems. For example, if a PIAGW doctor has a concern about ongoing gum recession, he/she will make plaster models of the patient's teeth so that objective, quantifiable assessments of the gum stability/recession can be made over time and with precision. Doing so doesn't rely on any one person's memory of such a difficult matter to assess. We rarely say “We'll watch it” because we know that it is impossible to track subtle changes over long periods of time - especially for hundreds of susceptible patients. In this example, a hard copy record provides an irrefutable comparison method for tracking changes.

We Support Our Patients In Their Quest For Dental Health

We know that patient-performed plaque removal is the cornerstone of long-term dental health and stability. Studies show that most patients' plaque removal performance deteriorates with time. The studies also show that periodic training, with continued behavioral-modification support, helps keep patients performing self-care at an optimal level. Studies also show that most patients don't clean 100% effectively and that periodic professional cleanings are needed for them to stay healthy. This is especially the case regarding patients who have had periodontal problems in the past.

With every maintenance session, our patients' plaque removal effectiveness is assessed. Whenever a patient has lost plaque removal effectiveness, re-instruction, or maybe the introduction of new techniques for accomplishing plaque removal are reviewed. PIAGW has an unshakable commitment to patient performed plaque removal because we know that plaque-free mouths stay healthy and require minimal dental care.

We also know that life is busy for many people. This can cause people to delay appointing for their needed maintenance care. PIAGW has the supportive systems and staff to help people make and keep their needed maintenance care. In other words, we work hard to not have our patients “fall through the cracks”. We are adequately staffed to offer a variety of appointment time options for patients so that they can be seen as has been prescribed – no long term waits for care appointments. If appointments are needed and not yet made, our office will follow up with patients if they forget to schedule their care. Yet, we will not “hound” patients to do so, for we know that our patients are adults and all peoples' priorities are fluid over time and must be respected.

Periodontists Are The “Industrial” Tooth Cleaners

PIAGW hygienists rarely “tickle the teeth”. That means that their cleaning methods are thorough and effective enough to manage patients with the most recalcitrant, Periodontal Disease. Patients routinely report how exceptional our maintenance care is.

We Are Dedicated To Communicating With Our Colleagues

Every time a patient is seen for maintenance in our office a memo is sent to other dentists who may also be providing care for the patient. This is not something that most dental offices do. We do this because PIAGW is dedicated to complete and seamless co-therapy with our colleagues. By accomplishing this goal, the patient receives the best care available.

Anybody Can Call PIAGW For An Appointment

Any person can become a part of the PIAGW Maintenance Program. They don't have to be referred to us by another dentist. In fact, many of our maintenance patients see only us for dental maintenance care. Because these patients are kept so healthy, they hardly need future dental care. When patients develop a problem that requires another dentist's care, we refer them to their dentist, or if they don't have one, to only the best practitioners.

Implant Warranty When In The PIAGW Maintenance Program

Within our maintenance program, we have our implant patients and their special maintenance care needs. PIAGW warranties the implants that are placed by PIAGW doctors for patients who participate in the PIAGW implant maintenance program. Details about this program are available via consulting with a PIAGW staff member.

Excellence and Pride

The doctors of PIAGW have been caring for people since 1976. A long history of our care excellence and experience exists and remains a source of pride. In fact, we have learned that “Experience Does Count”.