Expert Gum Disease Treatment in Finchley Central

Book an assessment if you notice persistent changes in your oral health. Common signs include gums that bleed during brushing or flossing, tenderness, or redness and swelling. Persistent bad breath that does not improve with cleaning is another clue. Some patients see gum recession making teeth appear longer or gaps between teeth. A consultation is advisable if you have a family history of gum disease or risk factors such as smoking or diabetes. Early intervention helps prevent progression to periodontitis and tooth loss.

The process begins with a 45 minute comprehensive assessment to measure the pockets between teeth and gums and determine the stage. For early gingivitis, a professional deep cleaning often called a scale and polish is usually enough and takes about 30 to 45 minutes. If periodontitis is diagnosed, the next step is non surgical deep cleaning under local anaesthetic. This requires one or two 60 minute sessions, during which we clean below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar from root surfaces. After this initial phase we schedule a review 6 to 8 weeks later to check healing and decide if further treatment is needed. The goal is to provide a clean environment for the gums to reattach to the teeth.

After a standard cleaning you should have no discomfort. After deep cleaning for periodontitis expect some tenderness and sensitivity for 2-4 days, which you can manage with over the counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. Your gums may feel sore and you might notice slight bleeding on the first day. We recommend sticking to a soft food diet for 24-48 hours and avoiding very hot or cold drinks. Long term success depends on your home care. We will show you an effective brushing and flossing routine. Regular hygiene appointments every 3-6 months help maintain results and prevent recurrence. If you have severe pain, swelling, or a fever after treatment, call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7).

For gum disease the main alternative to non surgical treatment is referral for surgical intervention. This is usually only for very advanced cases where deep pockets persist after initial therapy. Gum surgery involves lifting the gums to gain access for deep cleaning and sometimes reshaping the bone. While effective, it is more invasive and has a longer recovery time. Another option in cases of severe tooth mobility is extraction. This is a last resort; our practice aims to save natural teeth whenever possible. For most Finchley Central patients, non surgical deep cleaning remains the standard and highly effective at managing the disease.

To make an informed choice about your care, here are questions to ask any dentist whether you meet with us or another practice in the Finchley Central area. Ask what stage your gum disease is at and what the long term prognosis is. Also ask what specific type of cleaning is being recommended and why. Understand the full cost of the initial treatment and how much ongoing maintenance appointments will be. Finally ask what home care routine they recommend for your situation and what results you can realistically expect.

At our private practice the comprehensive gum health assessment costs £95. Initial treatment for gingivitis (a scale and polish) is typically £75-£95. For more advanced periodontitis non surgical deep cleaning (root surface debridement) starts from £200 per session. The final cost depends on the severity and number of sessions required. These fees cover the procedure, local anaesthetic, and personalised oral hygiene instruction. We ensure there are no hidden fees. We accept private dental insurance plans from major providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. We provide you with a detailed treatment plan and invoice to help with your claim.