PERIODONTAL
Advanced Gum Disease
We offer gum disease treatments, addressing periodontitis and gingivitis. We offer thorough exams and personalised plans to restore your oral health. Our focus is on effective solutions for gum disease, prioritising your well-being.
Treatment of periodontitis and Gum Disease(Gingivitis)
This is usually divided into three phases as follows. Some of these phases can be carried out by a general dentist, however when the disease does not improve or it’s advanced, then it is best to obtain the help of a Periodontist
Dental laser is being used in many highly skilled clinics to improve the results of gum treatments. Longwood House can offer laser hygiene treatments so that you can get faster and better results.
Treatment to Stabilise Your Gum Condition:
At your Initial Consultation, we will help you develop the skills required to routinely clean plaque from above the gum level and around all the teeth.
Calculus, or tartar, must be professionally removed by a dentist or hygienist. During this treatment phase, we record how well you are removing plaque from your teeth. The benefits will include fresher breath, firmer gums, and less mobile teeth.
After an interval of several weeks of healing, we assess the response of your gums. This Reassessment Appointment is extremely important as it is then that we can determine how successful our therapy has been and whether further treatment will be required.
If this proves to be the case we will explain to you, at this appointment, what is involved and why. We can follow this with a full written treatment plan and an estimate of the cost.
If your teeth are generally straight, but you would like them to be better aligned, Invisalign can help.
Testimonials
Some kind words from our patients
Treatment to Correct the Effects of Gum Disease:
Where gum pockets are deep, above 5-6 mm, periodontal (or gum) surgery may be required. This is often the case around the molar (back) teeth but is not limited to these areas. We always endeavor to avoid the need for surgery, but whether or not we achieve this is dependent upon the success of the Initial Phase, and especially your own personal success with your oral hygiene.
It is in your own interest to maintain a good level of oral hygiene so that we can be sure to give any necessary surgery all possible chances of success.
Sometimes it is possible to regenerate some of the lost gum and bone around the teeth through a small surgical procedure. If this would be of value to you is determined at the Reassessment Appointment.
Understandably, many patients are apprehensive about surgery in the mouth. However, gum surgery is a straightforward procedure and is not as drastic as it can at first appear.
After periodontal surgery initial healing is quite rapid (within a week). However, if you require further treatment from your own dentist for example; it is important to wait about three months in order to allow the treated gums sufficient opportunity to mature.
Prevention and Maintenance Phase:
After your active treatment has been successfully completed it will be necessary for you to see the dental hygienist regularly (either at Longwood House or if you prefer, at your own surgery if you were referred by them).
Research has shown that the ideal interval is one appointment every three months for the first year. Provided you maintain good oral hygiene this interval can then be extended to every six months. Sometimes re-treatment of a resistant area is required. Our hygienist will keep the progress of your gum disease under close review.