During the first appointment, our aim is to gather information, develop a personalised treatment plan, and start educating you about gum problems and why you’ve been referred for treatment. The clinical examination involves a visual inspection of all your teeth and soft tissues, some gentle probing around the gum to measure the gum depths, assessing any gum recession and bleeding, and checking for tooth looseness.

If tooth decay or other dental problems are detected, we will notify your referring dentist for further management. Additional investigations may be required, such as x-rays or scans, or photographic records.

Initial consultations generally last 40 minutes, though a second visit may be required to discuss findings and recommended treatment. We are interested in understanding your expectations and desires for treatment, so we can tailor your treatment to suit you.

Most treatment procedures for your gums and dental implant therapy are completed in our rooms. The area to be treated is anaesthetised with local anaesthetics to ensure no discomfort is experienced. For patients anxious about treatment, we may use calmative measures, such as a pre-treatment oral sedative or intravenous sedation during the procedure. Following completion, any discomfort is usually minor and should only last for a day or two.

Gum disease is a chronic, lifelong condition demanding ongoing management. In most cases, stability or control of active, unstable gum disease can be achieved with non-surgical treatments such as deep cleans; however, certain cases may necessitate surgical intervention. In the long term, regular maintenance is essential to preserve gum health and stability. Without maintenance therapy, active or unstable gum disease can reoccur.

Once the disease is under control, long-term stability generally depends on two crucial factors: maintaining a high standard of home oral hygiene and receiving regular professional maintenance care. This care is set in intervals tailored to each patient’s individual clinical conditions. Typically, most patients who have undergone gum treatment require maintenance appointments every three to six months. These sessions involve meticulous re-cleaning of the teeth and areas beneath the gums to restore the patient to the conditions achieved during active treatment. We also conduct oral hygiene checks, recommend modifications as necessary, and provide appropriate products to help prevent sensitivity and root decay. It is important to note that maintenance appointments are generally more comprehensive than the “routine scale and polish” most patients associate with teeth cleaning at the dentist.

Yes, absolutely. Your general dentist oversees your overall dental care. It’s crucial to maintain regular appointments for assessments of your teeth for decay and other issues. In many cases, we can coordinate with your general dentist, allowing you to benefit from both aspects of dental care.