About us
Gum care
Gum care is cleaning below the gumline and measuring the space between tooth and gum, so a hygienist can see whether your gums are holding steady.
It is for adults whose dentist has found gum changes and set a schedule, often every three or four months. Your hygienist does the visits, and the dentist reviews your measurements.
Measurements at every visit
Cleaning below the gumline
The dentist decides your schedule
Services
What a gum-care visit is
Four visits a year, about three months apart. Your dentist can change that after any exam.
- 01
The exam sets the schedule
Dr. Maeda examines your gums and tells you how often he'd like to see you.
- 02
Measuring
Your hygienist measures around each tooth and writes the numbers down.
- 03
Cleaning below the gum
She cleans where the brush can't reach. The area can be numbed if you'd like it.
- 04
The next visit, booked
We book the next one before you leave, so it's on the calendar.
Services
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
We can numb the area and we stop when you raise a hand. Tell us if something feels sharper than pressure.
If you wait
Gums can change quietly between visits. The measurements show whether they have, and we go over them with you.
Risks and after-care
Gums can be tender or bleed lightly for a day. Keep brushing and flossing gently, and call us if it doesn't settle.
How it's billed
The gum-care plan is a yearly payment for four gum-care cleanings and a yearly exam. A first deep cleaning, if you need one, is quoted in writing.
How fees work
Questions about gum care
What is a deep cleaning?
A deeper cleaning below the gumline, sometimes done over more than one visit, when the measurements show buildup under the gums. We give you an estimate first.
Why every three months?
The schedule is your dentist's call. Some people need cleanings more often than twice a year to keep their gums steady.
Does gum care mean I have gum disease?
Only the dentist's exam can say what your gums need. We explain the finding and the choices in plain words.
What if I need surgery?
We refer you to a dentist who does it, share your records and keep your cleanings with us.
Provided by a general dentist
Dr. Hiroshi Maeda, DDS, general dentist, licensed in Montana. Gum-care visits are done by licensed hygienists.