Expert Periodontal Treatment for West Finchley Patients

Periodontal disease often develops without obvious symptoms, so recognise early signs. You should book an assessment if you notice gums that bleed when you brush or floss, persistent bad breath, or red, swollen and tender gums. As it progresses you may see gum recession making teeth look longer or feel that teeth are loose. The Oral Health Foundation notes that gum disease is common in UK adults. If you have any of these signs, a prompt evaluation at our Finchley clinic can prevent more serious problems. We will create a personalised plan to restore your gum health.

Your treatment starts with a thorough 60 minute consultation. We examine your gums in detail, measure pocket depths, and use digital imaging to assess bone levels. From this we explain the stage of your gum disease and outline your plan. The core treatment is a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. This is usually carried out over two to four 60 minute appointments, during which we clean below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar. A patient from West Finchley recently finished this initial phase and noticed healthier gums within weeks. Finally we schedule a follow up after 6-8 weeks to review healing and plan long term maintenance.

After a deep cleaning you may have mild tenderness for a few days, which is managed with standard pain relief. We give you clear instructions on how to care for your gums as they heal, including demonstrations of brushing techniques and how to use interdental brushes or floss to clean between teeth. Long term success depends on good home care and regular hygiene appointments, typically every 3-6 months. This ongoing maintenance helps keep periodontal disease under control. Red flags requiring immediate contact: call our practice if you have severe pain, significant swelling, or signs of infection like pus from the gum line. Office hours are Mon, Wed, Fri 9-5 and Tue, Thu 11-7. For out of hours emergencies, contact NHS 111.

When managing gum disease, options depend on how severe it is. Early gingivitis is often treated with a standard professional cleaning followed by a strict home hygiene routine, which can reverse the condition completely. If it progresses to periodontitis, non surgical scaling and root planing is the usual first line. For very advanced cases with deep pockets, a referral for surgical periodontal treatment may be needed for better cleaning access. If a tooth has lost too much bone and has a poor prognosis, extraction and replacement with a dental implant or bridge may be the final option. We will discuss these choices openly with you.

To decide what’s right for you, ask key questions whether you visit us or another practice in West Finchley. Inquire about your disease stage and the long term outlook for your teeth. Ask how many appointments the initial treatment will take and the total cost. Also ask what home care routine they recommend and how often you should return for maintenance. Finally check if they accept your dental plan so you can understand payment options.

The cost of periodontal treatment varies depending on the severity of your condition and the number of appointments required. Following your initial consultation and diagnosis, we will provide a fully itemised treatment plan with a clear breakdown of all costs, ensuring there are no hidden fees. A simple case of gingivitis requiring one or two hygiene visits will cost less than a multi-appointment course of deep cleaning for periodontitis. We are a private-only practice and do not offer NHS services. We do, however, accept dental insurance plans from providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please bring your insurance details to your first appointment so we can help you understand your coverage.