Expert Periodontal Therapy for Muswell Hill Patients

Consider periodontal therapy if you see signs of gum disease from mild to severe. The most common sign is gums that bleed when you brush or floss. Other signs include persistent bad breath, swollen or tender gums, and gum recession where teeth look longer. A recent patient from Muswell Hill noticed daily bleeding and asked for a consult. In advanced cases teeth may become loose or shift. Gum disease affects about half of UK adults, so you are not alone. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, a periodontal assessment is the first step to restore gum health.

The treatment starts with a 60 minute consultation. During this visit we perform a thorough exam, including measuring pockets between teeth and gums to assess the severity. We also use digital imaging to check the bone supporting your teeth. Next, the main non surgical treatment called scaling and root planing is scheduled. This procedure, often split into two 60 minute appointments, involves carefully cleaning the root surfaces to remove plaque and tartar beneath the gum line under a local anaesthetic so you feel no pain. After about 4 to 6 weeks, you return for a review to see how your gums are healing. For most patients, this together with good home care stabilises the condition.

Right after scaling and root planing expect mild tenderness and sensitivity to hot or cold for a few days. This is normal and manageable with standard pain relief. We recommend a soft food diet for the first 24 to 48 hours. The key part of aftercare is long term maintenance. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, clean between teeth daily, and attend regular hygiene appointments every 3 to 6 months as advised. These follow ups prevent the disease from returning. A patient from North Finchley recently finished therapy and now keeps results with quarterly hygiene visits, stopping further bone loss. Red flags: call during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9 to 5, Tue/Thu 11 to 7): increasing pain after day 3, persistent bleeding, or swelling that does not improve. For out of hours emergencies, visit A&E or call 111.

For very early gum inflammation, the main alternative is a tougher at home hygiene routine plus cleaning by a hygienist. This can reverse the condition before it progresses. But once the disease moves to periodontitis, non surgical therapy is the primary treatment. If some teeth are too severely affected and have a poor long term prognosis, an alternative is extraction followed by a dental implant or bridge. This is a last resort, since our aim is to save natural teeth whenever possible. We will discuss all viable options with you during your consultation.

To choose what suits you, come with questions for us or another practice in North London. Ask about the diagnosis and the stage of gum disease. Ask what the full treatment plan involves and how many appointments are needed. Understand the total cost and what it covers. Ask about the long term maintenance plan and the chances of recurrence. Finally ask what results you can realistically expect.

Private periodontal therapy costs vary with the severity of gum disease and the number of appointments. After your initial consultation and assessment, we provide a fully itemised treatment plan with clear costs and no hidden fees. As a private practice we do not offer NHS treatment. We also accept private dental insurance from providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please bring your insurance details to your first appointment to understand coverage.