Experienced Periodontal Treatment in East Finchley

Periodontal treatment is needed when plaque and tartar buildup inflames and infects the gums. Schedule an assessment if you notice signs of gingivitis, the earliest stage, such as gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing, or gums that look red and swollen. This stage is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. If untreated, it could progress to periodontitis. Symptoms of periodontitis are more severe and include persistent bad breath, gums pulling away from your teeth (receding), sensitive teeth, and teeth starting to feel loose. Periodontal disease affects a large portion of UK adults, so seeking timely care is important to preserve your teeth for life.

Your treatment starts with a thorough 60 minute assessment. We measure the small spaces between your teeth and gums, called pockets, to determine the stage of the disease. For early gingivitis, we provide one or two 45 minute hygiene appointments for professional scaling to remove plaque and tartar. For more advanced periodontitis, the main treatment is scaling and root planing, often called a deep clean. This non surgical procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic over two 60 minute appointments. We meticulously clean below the gumline to remove bacterial deposits from the tooth roots. Finally, about 6 to 8 weeks later, you have a 30 minute review to check how your gums are healing and measure the pockets again to confirm the treatment's success.

After a deep cleaning, some tenderness and tooth sensitivity to hot and cold may last up to a week. Your gums may be slightly swollen or bleed a little for the first 2 to 3 days. This is part of the healing process. Rinse with warm salt water to soothe the gums and stick to softer foods for a couple of days. Continue brushing gently. Long-term success relies on excellent home care and regular maintenance. Most patients with a history of periodontitis need to see the hygienist every 3 to 4 months to prevent the disease from returning. If you notice increasing pain after day 3, heavy bleeding that won’t stop, or signs of infection like fever or significant swelling, contact us during office hours. For out of hours emergencies, visit A&E or call 111.

The best approach to gum disease is proactive management. For mild to moderate cases, non-surgical scaling and root planing at our practice is highly effective. It is the gold standard for removing the cause of the infection and allowing your gums to heal. A patient from East Finchley with early gingivitis recently resolved their bleeding gums completely with just two hygienist visits and learning to use interdental brushes. Another patient from nearby Muswell Hill with deeper pockets saw a strong improvement after their deep cleaning, avoiding the need for more complex treatment. Yet for very advanced or aggressive periodontitis, the best option may be a referral to a specialist periodontist for surgical treatment. We always assess your case thoroughly and recommend the most appropriate path for your specific clinical needs.

To make an informed choice about your care, whether with us or another practice in North London, here are some key questions to ask: What stage is my gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis)? What are the pocket depth measurements, and what do they mean? Is non surgical treatment like scaling and root planing enough for my case? What are the full costs for the initial treatment and the ongoing maintenance appointments? How often will I need to see the hygienist long term to keep my gums healthy? What home care routine (for example brushes and floss) do you recommend for me? Do you use any technology, such as digital X rays or 3D scans, to assess bone loss?

As a private practice, we provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees. The cost of periodontal treatment depends on its severity. A standard hygiene appointment starts from around £95. A course of non surgical deep cleaning for periodontitis typically ranges from £400 to £800, depending on the number of sessions required. This fee includes the local anaesthetic and a follow up review appointment to assess healing. Any potential need for more advanced surgical treatment would be discussed and quoted separately. We accept several private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please contact our East Finchley reception team to discuss your specific plan and coverage.