TL;DR
Perio Protect uses FDA-cleared, custom-fitted Perio Trays to hold a dentist-prescribed medication under the gumline, where the bacteria behind gum disease live. You wear them at home for a few minutes a day, and the schedule is tapered as the infection comes under control. The trays work alongside cleanings in the office, never in place of them. Stone Falls Dental Care in O’Fallon offers Perio Protect for moderate to severe gum disease, and the practice has run a $500-off offer on a complete set of trays; ask the front desk what is current.
What is Perio Protect?
Perio Protect is a dentist-prescribed home treatment for gum disease built around custom trays called Perio Trays. The trays are FDA-cleared medical devices, made from impressions of your own teeth and gums, and they deliver medication to the place a toothbrush and rinse cannot reach: inside the pockets below the gumline.
It is used as an addition to professional care. Scaling and root planing and regular maintenance cleanings remove the hardened deposits from the roots; the trays help keep the bacteria in check on the days in between. For people whose gums keep bleeding despite good brushing, that daily support can make a meaningful difference.
How do Perio Trays get medication under the gums?
Perio Trays have a seal along the gumline and small extensions shaped to your own gum contours, which hold the medication in place and direct it down into the pockets. An ordinary mouthwash washes over the gums and is gone in seconds. A tray keeps the medication in contact with the infected tissue long enough to act.
The medication is prescribed by the dentist and is most often a low-concentration hydrogen peroxide gel, which helps break down the bacterial film that shelters in the pockets. Because the trays are made for your mouth alone, they also show which areas need extra attention: the extensions are shaped to the sites where the gums need it most.
Who is a good candidate for Perio Protect?
Perio Protect is generally used for moderate to severe gum disease, especially when bleeding and inflammation persist after a deep cleaning. It also suits patients who want an active part in controlling their gum health between visits, or who have areas that are hard to keep clean around crowns, bridges and implants.
It is less likely to be needed for mild gingivitis, which usually clears with a professional cleaning and better daily habits. The decision on trays rests on what your periodontal exam shows, and Dr. Prane will explain her reasoning either way.
What does a day with Perio Trays look like?
Most people wear their trays for a matter of minutes each day, usually after brushing and before bed or first thing in the morning. As the gums heal, Dr. Prane reduces how often and how long you wear them until the infection is under control, then sets a lighter routine for ongoing upkeep.
- Brush and clean between your teeth first
- Place a small line of the prescribed gel in each tray
- Seat the trays and wear them for the time prescribed
- Remove them, spit out the extra gel and follow the rinsing advice you were given
- Rinse and brush the trays clean and let them dry
- Keep your maintenance visits so progress can be measured
What have our patients said about Perio Protect?
One patient described his experience in a Google review: “After around a year of great treatment including cavity removal/fillings… I was able to have my gingivitis cleaned and was given perio protect trays. Since this time I have virtually no issues any more.” (Ethan M., Google review)
Every mouth responds differently, and the trays work best when daily use is paired with regular care in the office. The measurements at each visit show how your own gums are responding, so changes to the plan are based on numbers.
Is there a Perio Protect offer?
Stone Falls Dental Care has run an offer of $500 off a complete set of Perio Protect trays, or $250 off a single tray. Because the trays are made for your mouth and used over months, the set is a one-time cost that supports the cleanings you already have. Offers change through the year, so ask the front desk which are current, or see our current offers page. CareCredit and other payment arrangements are described on the financial options page. Our treatment coordinators can also check what your dental plan covers for the cleanings that go with the trays.