Periodontics

The treatment and prevention of gum disease.

There are 3 main stages of gum disease: Gingivitis, Periodontitis and Advanced Periodontitis.

Once gum disease has entered the periodontitis stage then patients will require specialist gum care to help them combat the disease. Periodontitis’ symptoms include bad breath and sore, swollen or bleeding gums. Prevention is key and if left untreated then it will lead to the tooth loss. 

Gum disease can sometimes fly under the radar so regular visits to the specialist periodontist are recommended and early detection will allow for better results.  

Your specialist periodontist will talk through your medical history, establish the cause of your gum disease and advise what gum treatment and therapy is require. During your consultation, you will most likely require x-rays to determine the condition of your teeth and jaw structure. If the infection is caught early then your periodontist can provide treatment for gingivitis.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and can be reversed by removing deposits of plaque and the maintenance of sufficient and effective oral hygiene at home.

The treatment of gingivitis is essential to prevent the infection from becoming more severe and developing into periodontitis.

Periodontal charting will be taken to see the initial measurements of your gums, pocketing and bleeding. This will then be used to track your progress during your treatment and get you back on track to a healthy mouth.  

Most of the time, patients will only come to see the dentist when they see bleeding gums or blood when they spit into the bathroom sink. You need a professional eye to detect gum disease.

The gums play a vital role in your mouth as they hold your teeth in place and if they are damaged, you can lose teeth and at the same time have bacteria and infections that could potentially spread throughout your body.

Unhealthy gums can contribute to heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and cancer. Seeing a dentist for periodontal care will save your teeth and life.

You should have regular maintenance sessions with a periodontist to ensure healthy gums. If the infection and gum disease have been treated and reversed then you may return back dental hygiene maintenance and regular dental check-ups.

Specialist Periodontal treatments are painless when done by an experienced and skilled dentist. The treatment should bring your gums back to proper health and your periodontist will continue to take preventive care of your gums.

Remember to find an expert Specialist Periodontist who has guaranteed results from years of experience. 

You can find one of the best periodontists in London at Holford Partners Curaden. Our Specialist in Periodontics is Dr Stella Kourkouta and by using the latest tools, technology and methods we can guarantee painless, effective, and long-lasting results.

If your periodontist catches your gum disease in the early stages then your treatment will involve a procedure called scaling and root surface debridement. This initial treatment requires a special technique of removing calculus and plaque form the root surfaces of the teeth and pockets. The aim is to stabilise the gum disease and allow for long term maintenance to keep it under control.

If your case is more advanced then your treatment may require multiple treatments and appointments. These can include laser treatment, surgical treatment and/or medication. Your periodontist will advise which is the best form(s) of treatment are required. It all depends on the extent of your gum disease. This will all be discussed in before you commence your periodontal treatment.

Root Surface Debridement – Non-Surgical Therapy

When gum disease or an issue is detected by your periodontist, root surface debridement may be required to treat your condition.

The build up of bacteria on the teeth’s roots can infect and cause harm to your gums and bone. This is known as gingivitis. If left untreated this can lead to a more severe form of gum disease know as periodontitis.

When your specialist periodontist diagnoses the bacterial build-up early, then a simple root debridement will be needed to deep clean below the gums.

This treatment used to cause mild to moderate pain and discomfort during and some hours after. However, at Holford Partners Curaden we use the latest technology and techniques to offer pain-free root cleaning for our patients.

After root debridement, your periodontist will recommend and show how to maintain excellent gum care habits that include regular check-ups to help prevent gum diseases and other problems moving forward.

Flap Surgery

Flap surgery is another form of surgery used in periodontics.

At the start of the procedure you will receive anaesthesia to make sure the procedure is 100% pain-free. Next, the periodontal surgeon will make small precise cuts in your gums to expose a larger area of the root surface for a deep clean of the teeth roots.

Your periodontal surgeon will remove bacteria and tartar from your teeth. Once the deep teeth clean is complete the periodontist will suture the gums back to fit firmly around the teeth.

You will be given post operative instructions and aftercare medication including painkillers and antibiotics.

SPECIALIST PERIODONTAL TREATMENT – Exclusively with Dr Stella Kourkouta

Crown lengthening is a surgical periodontal procedure usually performed by a specialist periodontist to reduce the gum tissue and bone to expose more of the tooth structure. Hence resulting in a longer looking tooth for patients with short teeth. There are two types of crown lengthening surgical procedures. The first is for cosmetic reasons to reduce a gummy smile and the second is for function to increase the structural integrity of a tooth.

Crown Lengthening for Cosmetic Reasons

If you are concerned that your teeth are too short or you have a “gummy” smile that you would like to reduce, then our periodontist will be able to outline the procedures on offer to enhance your smile. You may have more tooth structure below the surface of your gums however it is covered by excessive gum tissue. The surgical procedure will give your smile more balanced proportions and reduce the amount of gum tissue present.

During the dental crown lengthening procedure, your periodontist will correct this by removing excess gum tissue and slightly reshape a the bone to expose more of the tooth surface. This can either be done to a single tooth to even out your gum line or to multiple teeth to provide a natural full smile.

Crown Lengthening for Functional Reasons

You may require crown lengthening if your dentist or periodontist requires a greater amount of tooth structure to support a crown or veneer to ensure a greater outcome. Your tooth may have decay or broken below the gum line or there may be insufficient tooth structure exposed for a restoration, such as a veneer, crown or bridge. The crown lengthening procedure will reduce the amount of bone and gum at the neck of the tooth to uncover more of the natural tooth so it can be restored.

SPECIALIST PERIODONTIC TREATMENT – Exclusively with Dr Stella Kourkouta

Periodontal plastic surgery is more commonly known as gum grafting and it can help you successfully deal over exposed teeth roots due to excessive gum recession which can cause extreme sensitivity and also improve the appearance of your smile.

Your gums can gradually change or even diminish. There are various causes, which include gum recession due to gingivitis or periodontitis and the loss of a single tooth or multiple teeth which if left without a replacement tooth then the gums and bone will shrink.

A gum graft is the surgical extraction of soft tissue, taken from one area such as the palate and strategically implanted in the area of depleted soft tissue. Gum grafts will help rectify gum deformities and other problems such as periodontitis. They will also help cover exposed roots, gum recession, prevent bone loss and help to reduce extreme tooth sensitivity associated with root exposure. Practically the use of soft tissue grafts can increase the zone of keratinised tissue and cover exposed roots. Periodontal plastic surgery can also be used for papilla regeneration around implants and ridge augmentation.

We use the latest technology and techniques and by using magnifying loupes, dental microscopes and microblades allows us to greatly improve the success rate and results whilst also minimising any discomfort after surgery. 

The replacement of lost gum tissue will help restore the natural gum line of your teeth which will help to enhance your smile. Gum augmentation or replacement can be done by gum tissue grafts or by the relocating of the existing tissue into a better position around the tooth.

How much does periodontal treatment cost?

The prices will vary depending on the type of periodontal treatment required and the severity of your case. The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care and maintenance at home. The periodontist may also suggest changing certain behaviors, such as quitting smoking, as a way to improve your treatment results.

PERIODONTAL CONSULTATION (Including bitewing x-rays, full charting and measurements) ……………….. £300

NON-SURGICAL PERIO ROOT DEBRIDEMENT ……………….. from £350

CROWN LENGTHENING ……………….. from £1200

GUM GRAFTING (Periodontal Plastic Surgery) ……………….. from £1200