Receding Gums Treatment for North London Patients

Seek treatment if teeth look longer than before, you feel sensitivity to hot or cold near the gum line, or you see exposed roots. If you have gum disease, recession is a common sign. Many North London patients seek help when recession affects the appearance of their smile. If you grind your teeth or have a family history of gum issues, a preventative check up is wise. We assess gums with digital imaging to gauge recession and decide the best action.

Your first visit lasts about 60 minutes. We thoroughly examine the gums, measure recession, and take digital X rays to check bone health. We discuss causes such as brushing habits or signs of gum disease. For example, a patient from Muswell Hill came in with sensitivity; the exam showed early periodontitis as the cause. Based on the diagnosis we create a personalised treatment plan. This appointment ensures the treatment targets the specific cause of the problem.

For mild cases linked to gum disease, the deep clean is a non surgical scaling and root planing that requires one or two 60 minute sessions. This removes plaque and tartar below the gum line to allow the gums to heal. If recession is more advanced or caused by wear, a gum graft may be needed. The procedure uses local anaesthetic and lasts about 90 minutes. It places a small piece of tissue to cover the exposed root. The full process from consultation to final graft takes three to six months to allow for full healing.

After a deep cleaning you might feel mild tenderness for 24 to 48 hours. Following a gum graft, the first 3 to 7 days are most important. You will have moderate discomfort managed with over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Swelling can be managed with ice packs. You should stick to a soft food diet for the first week or two and avoid chewing on the surgical side. We show you how to keep the area clean without disturbing it. Long term maintenance involves using a soft bristled toothbrush, proper brushing technique, and regular hygiene appointments. Red flags requiring you to call during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) include persistent bleeding, increasing pain after day 4, or signs of infection like pus. For out of hours emergencies, please visit A&E or call 111.

For very minor recession, monitoring and prevention are often enough. This involves improving brushing technique with guidance from our hygienist and using a soft bristled brush to prevent further wear. Another option for masking the appearance of recession between teeth is composite bonding. A tooth coloured resin is applied to the tooth surface to close black triangles, though this is a cosmetic fix and does not treat the underlying problem. For sensitivity caused by recession, desensitising toothpaste or a fluoride varnish applied at the practice can provide relief without surgery. We'll discuss all suitable options for your specific situation.

Costs depend on the cause and severity of your gum recession. A course of non surgical deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) typically costs between £400 and £800. Surgical treatments like gum grafts are more complex and start from £900 per tooth. This fee includes the procedure, local anaesthetic, and follow up appointments to check healing. As a private practice, NHS treatment is not offered. However we accept private dental insurance from Denplan, Cigna, and Max Bupa. We provide a fully itemised treatment plan with no hidden fees after your initial consultation.

To choose what is right for you in North London, ask about the primary cause of your recession, the success rates for the proposed treatment, where tissue will come from for a graft, the long term costs for maintaining gum health after treatment, whether the quoted price includes follow up appointments, and specific changes you should make to home care to prevent worsening.