Expert Gum Disease Treatment in East Finchley

If you notice gums that bleed when you brush or floss, swelling or tenderness, or persistent bad breath, you should book an assessment. Gum disease is called gingivitis in the early stage and periodontitis when it advances. You might also see gum recession making teeth look longer, and in some cases teeth may feel loose as the condition progresses. It is best to seek treatment early since gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss. If you are in East Finchley and notice these signs, a prompt check-up is the right step.

Your care begins with a 60-minute consultation and a detailed examination. We measure pocket depths between your teeth and gums to gauge the stage of the disease and may use digital imaging to check bone support. The main treatment involves deep cleaning, known as scaling and root planing, usually lasting 45 to 60 minutes per session. This removes plaque and tartar below the gum line. For a patient from East Finchley with early gingivitis, one or two sessions might be enough. A patient from nearby Muswell Hill with moderate periodontitis could need three to four sessions spaced weeks apart. We use modern tools to keep the process comfortable. Finally, we schedule a review about three months later to assess healing and set up a long-term maintenance plan.

After a deep cleaning you may notice mild sensitivity or tenderness in your gums for 24 to 48 hours, which you can manage with usual painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen. You can eat and drink normally but might prefer to avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods for a day or two. Long-term maintenance is essential. We will give you instructions on brushing and cleaning between your teeth at home. To prevent the disease from returning, keep up excellent oral hygiene and attend hygiene appointments every three to six months. Red flags to call during office hours are severe pain not relieved by painkillers, swelling that worsens after 48 hours, or signs of infection such as pus at the gum line.

For most cases non-surgical treatment like scaling and root planing works well. If you have very advanced periodontitis with deep pockets and significant bone loss, other options might be needed. One alternative is periodontal surgery to lift the gums for better access to the root surfaces. This approach is typically used when initial therapy does not yield satisfactory results. In severe cases a tooth extraction might be required if a tooth has lost too much bone support to be saved. At your Finchley consultation we first explore the least invasive options and will advise if a referral to a specialist surgeon is the best course for your long-term health.

To decide on care, here are important questions to ask any dentist, whether you visit us in Finchley or another practice: What stage is my gum disease and what does that mean for my teeth long term? How many deep cleaning sessions will I need and what is the total cost? What is the success rate of this treatment for cases like mine? Do you have before and after photos or case studies of previous patients? What home care routine do you recommend for me? How often will I need to return for maintenance after the initial treatment? Do you accept my private insurance such as Denplan or Cigna?

The cost depends on how severe the disease is. Early gingivitis requiring one or two hygiene visits costs less than managing advanced periodontitis that needs multiple deep cleaning sessions. Your initial consultation has a fixed fee, and we will provide a full, transparent breakdown of the recommended treatment plan and all related costs. There are no hidden fees. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS services, but we do accept major private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please bring your insurance details to your first appointment so we can help you understand coverage.