Periodontal health is one of the least well known, but most important parts of Dentistry.
And whilst you might have experienced niggling discomfort in your gums, or perhaps spotted a little blood when brushing, gum disease can develop slowly and gradually until it becomes a severe problem.
If you’ve got questions, you’re a patient looking for Periodontal Treatment, or want to know more about issues like gum disease and periodontitis, read on!
In this Article
- What is Periodontal Treatment?
- What to Expect as a Patient
- How effective is Treatment?
- Periodontal Treatment Cost Guide
But first…
Why Get Periodontal Treatment in the First Place?
Periodontal disease sneaks in as gingivitis but, left unchecked, can escalate to periodontitis, which can lead to receding gums and loose teeth or, in severe cases, tooth loss.
To use an analogy: it’s almost like the foundation of a house weakening; eventually, the structure (in this case, your teeth) can be at risk.
There’s also growing evidence linking severe gum disease to other health problems, including heart disease and diabetes.
The theory is that untreated bacteria around the gums causes inflammation, which can cause havoc on the wider cardiovascular system
Whether it’s correlation or causation, evidence is mounting between the health of gums and your overall health.
What to Expect from Periodontal Treatment
The main mechanism of how Periodontal Treatment works is by removing bacteria deposits sitting below the gum line, which stabilises and in some cases allows gum to heal and join back to the tooth again.
Periodontal treatment for gum disease normally follows: Assessment, Treatment & Re-evaluation.
Initial Evaluation
Your Periodontist will first do a thorough check to understand the extent of gum disease.
They’ll use the six point pocket chart, which is a comprehensive charting system that we use to determine the severity of your gum disease.
Your periodontist will gently measure the gap that exists between your tooth and gum, or “pocket depth”. This gives us metrics to track the health of gums, and progress through treatment.
According to research, most healthy gums fall under a 3mm pocket depth, whilst anything over 6mm can represent severe gum disease and periodontitis.
Depending on clinical findings, your Periodontist then build a treatment plan, explain the steps you can undertake at home, and give you an understanding of the impact we can make with periodontal treatment.
Professional Mechanical Plaque Removal (PMPR)
Before any surgical interventions, PMPR is provided by Periodontist.
Periodontists remove bacteria deposits using specialist equipment and techniques designed to target harmful build ups.
Rest assured. We’ll make sure you’re comfortable, and for most cases use Local Anaesthetic to ensure the area being treated is fully numb so that you don’t feel pain.
Medications
Sometimes, we might prescribe a special mouth rinse or other medications to control bacteria and reduce the size of periodontal pockets.
These can be applied within the course of treatment itself, or prescribed by your Periodontist to take away and use at home.
Surgical Treatments
In cases where the disease is more advanced, and PMPR isn’t enough, there are surgical options for Periodontal treatment which include:
- Bone Grafts
- Soft Tissue Grafts
- Guided Tissue Regenderation
Review & Maintenance
After treatment, you’ll come back for a Review session.
This helps us establish and measure the improvement in pocket depth, allowing us to understand the longer term prognosis of gums and to advise on any further intervention that might be required.
If you visit Danbury Dental Care for your Periodontal Treatment, we’ll share Before & After periodontal charts so you can see the improvement treatment has made to your gums.
How Effective Is Periodontal Treatment?
Periodontal treatment can drastically improve the health of gums and the longevity of your natural teeth
In many cases with advanced periodontitis, it can be stabilised with dental intervention such as PMPR.
If you recall, one of the key measurements of gum health is the size of pockets.
When monitoring gum disease, the smaller the pocket depth the better. Healthy gums are below 3mm, and uncontrolled gum disease can result in pockets of over 6mm.
In many (but crucially, not all) cases, you can expect pockets improve by ovver 30-50% after a course of Non Surgical Periodontal Treatment such as PMPR.
Paired with oral health habits, this can prolong the health of natural teeth for years.
Changing Habits
Crucial to the success of any periodontal journey, especially in the long term, is the role of the patient. Your role in a successful clinical outcome cannot be emphasised enough!
Your Periodontist will give you oral health instruction and advice to make sure you are able to prevent bacteria build up whilst at home.
This involves things like:
- Correct brushing techniques
- Smoking cessation advice
- Using the right oral health instruments
- Flossing instructions
- And using the correct mouthwashes, toothpastes and prescription gels
Periodontal Treatment Costs
Periodontal Treatment, like all medical procedures, varies in price based on the complexity of the issue and the specific needs of the patient.
As you budget with the expectation of seeing a Periodontist, it’s worth noting that you may require multiple rounds of gum disease intervention depending on your body’s response to treatment.
Initial Consultation
You can expect Initial Assessments to range from £80-£250. This allows for enough time within the clinical setting to build a tailored treatment plan focussed on restoring gum health.
This involves a thorough examination and the creation of a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Non Surgical Treatment (PMPR)
These procedures, on average, range between £200 – £400 per Quadrant of the mouth, depending on the extent of treatment.
Review sessions & Maintenance
Similar to the Assessment, an hour is typically set aside costing £80-£250 on average.
Maintenance sessions of PMPR, the Non Surgical Periodontal Treatment, can be a further £200-£400 depending on what is required.
Wrapping up on our Periodontal Guide
From initial signs like bleeding gums to advanced treatments, our aim is to offer proactive, compassionate care tailored to each patient’s needs.
As with anything medical, regular maintenance can often prevent the most severe outcomes.
Moreover, it’s not just about maintaining a dazzling smile; it’s about overall health, confidence, and well-being.
So, regardless of where you stand on the periodontal spectrum, know that with dedication, proper care, and a bit of ‘gardening’ for your mouth, a lifetime of healthy teeth is an achievable goal.
