Periodontal Maintenance
A continuing care programme of professional oral health procedures performed at regular intervals for patients who have completed active periodontal therapy.
Full Definition
Periodontal maintenance (CDT code D4910) is a supportive therapeutic service delivered to patients who have a history of periodontitis and have completed a course of active periodontal treatment, such as scaling and root planing. The appointment typically includes periodontal re-evaluation, updating of radiographs and periodontal charting, removal of biofilm and calculus, and reinforcement of oral hygiene instruction. Periodontal maintenance intervals are typically set at three or four months rather than the six-month interval standard for prophylaxis patients. Editors must distinguish periodontal maintenance from routine prophylaxis in clinical and insurance documentation, as the two procedures have different CDT codes and clinical indications.
Usage
Usage note: Never substitute 'periodontal maintenance' with 'cleaning' or 'prophylaxis' in formal documents. The distinction is clinically, legally, and financially significant, as insurers apply different benefit levels to D4910 vs D1110.
In Context
- "Following the completion of SRP, the patient was transitioned to a three-month periodontal maintenance schedule." — Treatment plan document
- "The insurance narrative incorrectly described the D4910 appointment as a 'cleaning'; the editor replaced this with 'periodontal maintenance'." — Insurance pre-authorisation letter