Perio Maintenance
A periodontal recall procedure performed at regular intervals for patients with a history of periodontal disease, distinct from a standard prophylaxis.
Full Definition
Perio maintenance (formally 'periodontal maintenance') is a continuing care procedure prescribed for patients who have completed active periodontal therapy. It involves removal of supragingival and subgingival plaque and calculus, assessment of pocket depths, and evaluation of tissue health. It is billed under a different CDT code than a routine prophylaxis and must not be described interchangeably with it. Editors should ensure clinical notes and billing documents reflect the correct classification. The procedure is typically scheduled every three to four months rather than the standard six-month recall.
Usage
Usage note: Never use interchangeably with 'prophylaxis' in clinical or billing documents; they carry distinct CDT codes and clinical indications.
In Context
- "The treatment notes incorrectly labelled the patient's quarterly visit as a prophylaxis rather than perio maintenance, creating a billing discrepancy." — Clinical documentation review
- "Editors reviewing insurance submissions should confirm that perio maintenance is coded separately from routine hygiene visits." — Insurance claim document