Periodontal treatment

Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, and affects a significant portion of the population. With appropriate and timely treatment, the disease process can be slowed and the gum condition stabilised, thus minimising tooth loss. The type of treatment we recommend will depend on a number of factors, including the extent and severity of disease, dental history and previous treatment, general health and underlying medical conditions, and lifestyle factors (e.g. smoking).

In a majority of patients, the first step in treating gum disease is non-surgical periodontal treatment, which involves debridement (deep scaling) of the root surfaces of the teeth, in areas under the gums that have not been accessible to the general dentist or hygienist. This is usually conducted over multiple appointments, and local anaesthetic is used to minimise discomfort. At each appointment, you will be given feedback on the progress of your treatment, as well as detailed oral hygiene instruction to maximise the effectiveness of your plaque control at home.

In more severe cases, or in patients whose condition has not responded sufficiently to non-surgical treatment, periodontal surgery may be necessary. This involves making a very fine incision in the gum and gently reflecting the tissue to gain better access to the root surfaces, in order to remove the plaque and tartar that is causing the tissue inflammation. Sometimes, minor grafting can be conducted to attempt to regenerate some of the bone or gum tissue that has been destroyed by the gum disease process.

Additionally, there are some types of periodontal surgical procedures which may be unrelated to active gum disease, including:

  • Soft tissue grafting (to treat receded gums)

  • Crown lengthening (to allow dentists to place crowns or fillings in areas where access under the gum is required)

  • Gingivectomy (to reduce the appearance of ‘gummy smile’)

  • Fraenectomy (cutting or reshaping a small flap of tissue that joins the inner lip to the gum line - similar to a ‘tongue tie’)