Advanced Gum Disease Treatment for Finchley Central

You should get a detailed gum health assessment if you notice the classic signs of gum disease. Early gingivitis often causes gums to bleed when you brush or floss. If you ignore it, this can progress to periodontitis, a more serious condition. Watch for persistent bad breath, red or swollen gums, gums that recede and make your teeth look longer, and in advanced cases teeth that feel loose. Many Finchley patients come to us with these changes. Acting now is important because periodontitis can lead to bone loss around the teeth. The Oral Health Foundation notes that up to 50 percent of adults in the UK have some gum disease, so early intervention helps prevent tooth loss.

Your treatment starts with a 60 minute consultation for a detailed exam. We measure the pockets between teeth and gums to gauge how serious the disease is. The main part of treatment is non surgical deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing. This is done under local anaesthetic for comfort and removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. It usually takes one or two appointments of about 60 to 90 minutes each. About four to six weeks later you have a review to check how your gums have healed and to set up a long term maintenance plan, which is the key to managing the condition.

A 45 year old from Finchley Central came to us with bleeding gums and mild sensitivity. Our assessment found early stage periodontitis with pocket depths of 4 to 5 mm. We completed scaling and root planing over two sessions. With tailored oral hygiene guidance, at the six week check the bleeding had stopped and pocket depths had reduced to a healthy 2 to 3 mm. He now follows a three monthly hygiene maintenance plan to prevent recurrence.

A 58 year old from North Finchley presented with receding gums and a loose lower incisor. The case was more advanced. The aim was to stabilise the condition. He received intensive non surgical therapy and learned how to use interdental brushes effectively. The loose tooth could not be saved, but bone loss around the other teeth was halted. He is now on a strict three monthly professional cleaning schedule to prevent further tooth loss.

After a deep cleaning procedure you may experience mild discomfort and increased tooth sensitivity for a few days. This can be managed with over the counter pain relief. Your gums may feel tender as well. The most important part of recovery is maintaining excellent oral hygiene at home. We will teach you the best techniques for brushing and cleaning between your teeth. Long term management is essential. Gum disease cannot be cured but it can be controlled. This requires regular maintenance appointments with our hygienist, typically every three to four months, to prevent the disease from becoming active again. Call our practice if you have increasing pain after day three, significant swelling, or a fever during office hours. For emergencies after hours, go to A and E or call 111.

When you consider gum disease treatment it helps to know your options. For very mild gingivitis with bleeding gums, regular professional cleanings with a dental hygienist and better home care may reverse it. For periodontitis with pockets, deep cleaning is needed. In the most severe cases with very deep pockets or substantial bone loss, surgery might be required. We provide comprehensive non surgical care to stabilise your condition, and if surgery is needed we would refer you to a trusted registered specialist periodontist for that part of your treatment.

The cost depends on how severe your condition is and how many sessions you need. After the initial assessment we provide a clear treatment plan with all expected costs and no hidden fees. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS periodontal services. We accept private insurance plans including Denplan, Cigna, and Max Bupa, which may cover part or all of your treatment. Please contact us with your details so we can explain your coverage.

To make an informed choice about your care whether you come to us or another practice in Finchley, here are important questions to ask: What are my pocket depth measurements and what do they mean? Is non surgical treatment enough for my case or might I need surgery? What is the expected success rate for stabilising my condition? How often will I need maintenance visits after the initial treatment? What are the total costs for the initial treatment and ongoing maintenance?