Your Gum Disease Treatment Journey: What to Expect

At Chic Dental Preston, our experienced team provides gentle, effective gum disease treatment that can save your smile and protect your overall health. Here’s what you can expect during your gum disease treatment in Melbourne.

Step 1. Comprehensive Assessment

Your journey begins with a thorough periodontal examination to determine the severity of your gum disease. This includes:

  • Detailed measurement of gum pocket depths around each tooth
  • Assessment of gum recession and tooth mobility
  • Digital x-rays to evaluate bone levels
  • Comprehensive oral health history review
  • Discussion of symptoms and concerns

Based on these findings, we’ll classify your condition (gingivitis, early, moderate, or advanced periodontitis) and develop a customised treatment plan addressing your specific needs.

Step 2. Professional Deep Cleaning

The cornerstone of gum disease treatment is a specialised deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. This thorough cleaning goes well beyond a standard dental clean:

  • Scaling: Using specialised instruments, we meticulously remove bacterial plaque and hardened tartar (calculus) from above and below your gumline, including deep within the periodontal pockets where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach.
  • Root Planing: We carefully smooth the root surfaces of your teeth to remove bacterial toxins and create a clean surface that discourages future bacteria adhesion and promotes gum reattachment.

For your comfort, we typically use local anesthesia and may split treatment into quadrants across multiple appointments. 

Step 3. Antimicrobial Therapy

For more advanced cases, we may recommend supplemental treatments:

  • Application of antimicrobial solutions to infected pockets
  • Placement of time-release antibiotics directly into deeper pockets
  • Prescription antimicrobial mouth rinses for home use

These targeted therapies help eliminate bacteria in areas difficult to reach with instruments alone, enhancing treatment outcomes.

Step 4. Follow-Up Evaluation

After allowing time for healing, we’ll reevaluate your gum health to assess your response to treatment. We’ll measure your pocket depths again and check for improvements in gum inflammation and bleeding. 

For long-term success, we’ll establish a personalised periodontal maintenance schedule—typically every 3-4 months rather than the standard 6-month recall for patients with healthy gums. These specialised cleaning appointments help prevent reinfection and keep your gum disease under control.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best treatment depends on severity. Early gingivitis responds well to professional cleaning and improved home care. More advanced periodontitis requires scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), sometimes with antimicrobial therapy. 

Most patients experience minimal discomfort during treatment. We use local anesthesia for deep cleaning procedures to ensure comfort. Some mild soreness may occur for 1-2 days afterward, easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Our gentle approach makes the process much more comfortable than patients anticipate.

Initial healing takes 4-6 weeks after scaling and root planing treatment. Early gingivitis can resolve completely within this timeframe. However, more advanced periodontitis requires ongoing maintenance—typically periodontal cleaning every 3-4 months—to prevent recurrence and maintain stability. 

Dentists can effectively treat gum disease at all stages. Early gingivitis can be completely reversed, while periodontitis can be stabilised to prevent further damage. Treatment success depends on the disease's severity, your commitment to recommended aftercare, and managing risk factors like smoking. 

Absolutely. Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is the gold standard for treating active gum disease. It removes bacteria and tartar from beneath the gumline where regular cleaning can't reach. Without this treatment, gum disease continues to destroy bone and gum tissue, eventually leading to tooth loss and more expensive treatments.

At Chic Dental, periodontal treatment typically ranges from $250 to $1,200 depending on severity and the number of appointments needed. Most health funds provide partial coverage for these procedures. We offer payment plans to make necessary treatment accessible and will provide a detailed quote following your comprehensive examination.

Yes, persistent bad breath is often a key sign of gum disease. The bacteria that cause periodontal infection release sulfur compounds with an unpleasant odor. These bacteria hide in periodontal pockets where regular brushing can't reach them. 

The bacteria associated with gum disease can potentially be transmitted through saliva exchange (like kissing or sharing utensils). However, developing the disease depends on many factors, including oral hygiene and individual susceptibility. 

Slightly mobile teeth often stabilise after successful periodontal treatment, especially in early to moderate cases. As inflammation decreases and gums heal, they attach more firmly to tooth surfaces. However, teeth with significant bone loss may remain somewhat mobile.

Scaling and root planing is absolutely worth the investment. It's the most effective non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease, preventing further bone and tooth loss. Left untreated, periodontal disease leads to extensive damage requiring more invasive and expensive treatments.