Expert Root Planing for Muswell Hill Patients

Root planing, often called a deep clean, is advised when plaque and tartar push gums away from teeth and create pockets deeper than 3 mm. It is the main non surgical treatment for periodontitis. You should seek an assessment if gums bleed when brushing, have persistent bad breath, are tender or swollen, or teeth look longer as gums recede. Unlike a standard hygiene clean which targets the tooth surface above the gumline, root planing goes deeper to clean the root surfaces within these pockets, removing bacteria and helping the gums reattach to the teeth.

First, you have a 45 minute consultation where we measure gum pocket depths and digital x rays are taken to check bone loss. The treatment is usually split into two appointments of 60-90 minutes each, focusing on one side of the mouth at a time for comfort. Before we start, we will administer a local anaesthetic to numb the area. Then using specialised tools we carefully scale the tartar from below the gumline and smooth the tooth roots. This removes bacterial deposits and creates a clean surface for your gums to heal against. Finally, after a healing period of 6-8 weeks, you will have a follow-up visit to check progress.

In the first 24-48 hours after the procedure expect some tenderness and sensitivity in the treated area. This is usually mild and manageable with over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen. Teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold for up to a week. A soft food diet for a day or two helps. Continue to brush and floss, but be gentle around the treated gums. Follow the aftercare instructions we provide to support healing. Case scenario 1: A patient from Muswell Hill presented with bleeding gums and pockets of 4-5 mm. We performed root planing in two sessions. After six weeks pockets reduced to 2-3 mm and bleeding stopped. He now attends regular hygiene visits to maintain gum health.

If you notice severe or increasing pain after three days, significant swelling, or a fever, call our practice during office hours (Mon Wed Fri 9 am to 5 pm, Tue Thu 11 am to 7 pm). For urgent issues outside opening hours call 111 for advice. In the long term keep up with excellent home hygiene and regular hygiene appointments to prevent relapse. Case scenario 2: A 55 year old from Highgate, a nearby area, ignored early signs of gum disease. By the time he came to us he had 6 mm pockets and some tooth mobility. Root planing stabilised the condition and saved his teeth from extraction, illustrating the value of early intervention.

For very mild gum inflammation (gingivitis) without deep pockets, a standard professional hygiene appointment may be enough to reverse the condition. Once periodontitis has developed, root planing remains the first step. If the disease is very advanced with extremely deep pockets (over 6-7 mm), non surgical treatment may not suffice. In these cases we might discuss referral for surgical options, such as flap surgery, which allows for deeper access to clean the root surfaces. We will always discuss the most conservative and effective option for your situation during your consultation.

To ensure you receive the best care, whether it is with us or another practice in North London, here are some important questions to ask: based on your gum pocket measurements, why is root planing the right treatment for you; how much experience do you have in treating moderate to advanced gum disease; what is the total cost, and does it include the initial assessment and follow-up appointments; will a dentist or a dental hygienist be performing the treatment; what specific aftercare and long term maintenance plan will you need to follow; do you use any specific technology like ultrasonic scalers for patient comfort.

As a private dental practice, we provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees. The cost for scaling and root planing depends on the extent of the treatment required but typically ranges from £400 to £800. This fee includes the local anaesthetic and a detailed review of your oral hygiene. Your initial consultation and any necessary x-rays are costed separately. We accept several private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. We recommend contacting your provider to understand the specifics of your coverage for periodontal treatment. We are a fully private practice and do not offer NHS services.