As my employee dental insurance plan covers teeth cleaning 2-times a year, I have been religiously having that done 2-times a year. Within the last 2-years, the dental hygienist at one point during the cleaning session had a co-worker come in to record numbers. All of a sudden she is rattling of 3, 5, 4, 4, 4, 3, ... (or something like that, going from memory). When done I asked what that was? She indicated it was some rating of the gum (size?). I guess as we age our gums start to decrease or something. So after about a year it was suggested to get a cleaning under the gums to keep everything healthy and clean. Insurance wise I believe that deeper cleaning is classified as 'periodontal' work. Now they want to have me 4-times a year (instead of 2). Fortunately the cleaning treatment did not hurt me. When they told me what they were going to do I was concerned it would. I am not sure it is the same treatment Bristol talks of, but it sounds similar.
I don't know. I believe this is a valid treatment, but I have gone a long time without it. Periodontal diseases are more prevalent as you age and such. It just seemed like I was doing fine with the twice a year regular cleaning. I am still on the fence as to whether this is just another way to get some extra cash from us, or whether in the long-run I will be thankful. A lot of this type of treatment is accepted by us patients on just faith and trust in our dental professionals.
One thing I am doing now is getting two teeth implants. This is an ongoing ~8-month duration process for me. The teeth were removed and the bone prepped, then allowed to heal (3-4 months), then a second session for planting posts, then 3-4 months heal. Around June I will get the actual replacement teeth screwed in. I am looking forward to it. Have a big gap in my lower left-side chewing teeth in the meantime. Actually you get use to it fairly quickly, but it will be nice to get them back.