Minimal Waiting Times
Secure prompt & timely care with minimal waiting times within 5 weeks at our Neutral Bay & Newcastle clinics. This means a gum or implant concern can be assessed without a long wait.
Specialist Periodontists
Patient-Focused Care
We explain each step before it happens and plan your treatment around your comfort and wellbeing.
A Precision-Focused Approach
We plan each case in detail and explain what the treatment involves, what it can achieve for you and what it cannot.
Modern Equipment
We use digital imaging, including 3D scans where they are needed, and microsurgical techniques for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Specialist gum disease treatment
Smile Specialists Suite provides specialist periodontitis treatment in Sydney.
Your oral health is our topmost priority, and our experts are here to help you every step of the way. We offer friendly and expert diagnosis and treatment of gum disease, with a strong focus on periodontitis. Contact us today and start your journey to a happier, healthier smile.
Gum surgery, grafting and dental implant treatment are surgical procedures and carry risks, such as infection, swelling, bleeding, gum shrinkage, nerve injury or an implant not fusing with the bone, and they are not suitable for everyone. Results vary from person to person. We explain the alternatives, including non-surgical gum treatment, a bridge or a denture, and you are welcome to get a second opinion.
What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that damages the soft tissue, like your gum line, and destroys the bone supporting your teeth. This can lead to tooth loss or bone loss and will generally require surgery to manage.
Periodontitis arises when the early stage of gum disease, gingivitis, is left untreated. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums, caused primarily by plaque buildup. It is the first stage of gum disease and needs to be addressed before it advances to periodontitis.
Periodontitis occurs as gum disease progresses, causing the gums to pull away and cause pockets around your teeth where bacterial plaque travels further into your gums.
What causes periodontitis?
Periodontitis is caused when gingivitis (the early stage of gum disease) is not treated appropriately. This gum disease arises when bacteria and plaque spread underneath the gum line, forming infected periodontal pockets. These pockets of bacteria surround the tooth, and as the disease progresses may destroy the bone and gum tissue.
What are the risk factors that may lead to periodontitis treatment?
The main risk factor for periodontitis is untreated gingivitis. Other gum disease risk factors include:
- not brushing or flossing regularly
- poor oral hygiene
- hormonal changes
- smoking
- crooked or broken teeth
- dental implants
- poor-fitting dentures, fillings, caps or crowns
- certain medications and health conditions, like diabetes
- hereditary
What are the signs and symptoms that you might need periodontitis treatment?
You may require periodontitis treatment if you notice the following:
- a bad taste that won’t go away
- bad breath (halitosis)
- sore and swollen gums
- bleeding gums
- pain when chewing
- wobbly, sensitive or loose teeth
- gum recession, where the gums pull away from your teeth
- changes in tooth alignment or the fit of dentures and dental implants
The early signs of gingivitis are a warning, and shouldn’t be ignored. It is essential we treat gum disease as soon as we can to avoid missing teeth and permanent damage to bones and the tooth root surface.
To determine whether or not you need periodontitis treatment, a periodontist or general dentist will use a special probe to measure the pocket between your gums and teeth to determine the level of gum disease.
Do you experience any of the above symptoms? Talk to our periodontists
How is periodontal disease diagnosed?
To diagnose gum disease, your dentist will use a combination of your medical history, signs and symptoms, and X-rays. They will also conduct a careful examination of your gums and teeth for any indication of periodontal diseases.
Your dentist or periodontist will use a specialised probe to measure the depth of the pockets surrounding your teeth. Healthy gums and teeth have a pocket depth of 1mm to 3mm. Any pockets deeper than that indicate the presence of gum disease.
What is periodontitis treatment?
The main goal of treatment for gum diseases is to reduce bacteria and remove the plaque and tartar causing inflammation. The treatment options depend on what stage the gum disease is at. With gingivitis or mild to moderate periodontitis, non-surgical treatment can be effective. However, in significant cases of periodontitis surgery may be the only option to restore healthy gums and teeth.
Non-surgical treatment options
For many individuals, simple and conservative treatment is effective in managing the early stages of gum disease.
Scaling and root planing: A meticulous deep cleaning beneath the gums using specialised tools to eradicate bacterial layers and tartar from the gum pockets. Root planing smooths the exposed root surfaces of your teeth to prevent plaque and bacteria build-up.
Laser gum treatment: A tiny beam of highly concentrated light energy destroys bacteria and diseased tissue. Laser gum treatment is a non-invasive method of treating mild to moderate periodontitis.
Antibiotics: Oral or topical antibiotics can be used to treat bacterial infections.
For more advanced cases, non-invasive gum treatments might serve as a precursor to surgical interventions. This decreases inflammation, enhancing the chances of surgical success, and potentially reducing the surgical areas needed.
Surgical treatment options
If a non-surgical intervention doesn’t eliminate periodontitis or the gum disease is severe, surgery may be the only viable option for treatment.
Flap surgery: Your periodontist makes incisions in your gums, before gently peeling back the tissue to reveal the tooth roots. This offers improved access for a more thorough scaling and root planing.
Soft tissue grafts: Gum grafting helps restore your gum line by removing damaged gum tissue and replacing it with healthy grafts, thereby concealing exposed root surfaces and restoring a healthy smile.
Bone graft: If periodontitis has eroded the bone surrounding your tooth root, a bone graft might be necessary. Its primary role is to anchor your tooth securely, providing a foundation for natural bone regrowth.
How much does periodontitis
treatment cost?
Your first consultation at the Smile Specialist Suites with our periodontist is priced at $465. This initial appointment is for an hour. Following a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums, we’ll present a tailored treatment strategy, complete with a detailed cost breakdown.
Smile Specialists Suite provides specialist periodontitis treatment.
Why choose Smile Specialist Suite for your periodontitis treatment in Sydney?
Smile Specialists Suite combines modern technology, registered specialist periodontists and a patient-first approach to your periodontal care. Visit us today and let’s bring that smile back to its healthiest state!
Where can I find periodontitis
treatment near me?
We have modern, beautiful clinics where you can find expert treatment for periodontal disease in Neutral Bay or Newcastle.
- NEWCASTLE
Suite 1, Level 2, 55-57 Hunter Street
Newcastle NSW 2300 - (02) 4009 1428
- admin.newcastle@smilespecialistssuite.com.au
- NEUTRAL BAY
Suite 206, 40 Yeo Street
Neutral Bay NSW 2089 - (02) 9908 5588
- admin.neutralbay@smilespecialistssuite.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions
How is periodontal disease different from gum disease?
There is no difference, these two terms are used interchangeably. Periodontal is the technical term, whilst gum disease is the more layman term used by the general population. Essentially, it is all periodontal gum disease.
What causes periodontitis?
Periodontitis results when gingivitis (early periodontal disease) is not diagnosed and treated in the early stages. Other causes are inadequate teeth and gum care, smoking, genetic predisposition, ill-fitting dental implants, caps or crowns and crooked teeth.
What are the treatment options for periodontitis?
The treatment options for periodontitis will depend on how advanced it is. Dental surgeons or a specialist periodontist can tailor a treatment plan based on your condition that may include replacement of dental implants, laser gum treatment, flap surgery, crown lengthening and bone or gum grafting.
What's the Can periodontitis be treated successfully?difference between a periodontal abscess and a periapical abscess?
Yes, periodontitis can be treated successfully. For milder forms, your dentist may recommend conservative management with antibiotics and a professional deep clean or laser gum treatment. However, if your disease is more advanced you may require surgery such as grafts or dental implants.
Can periodontitis be prevented?
You can prevent gum diseases by incorporating good oral hygiene habits into your daily routine:
- brushing and flossing daily
- use toothpaste that contains fluoride
- have regular dental checkups, with a professional clean
- quit smoking
- avoid sugary drinks
What are the complications of periodontal gum disease?
If untreated, periodontitis can lead to:
- tooth loss
- bone loss
- abscess formation
- chronic periodontitis
- increased risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes
Your oral health directly impacts your overall well-being, so it is essential to look after your gums and teeth.
Talk to Prof. Quaranta
Smile Specialists Suite is led by Professor Alex Quaranta and Dr Lizzy Hui. Professor Quaranta is a registered specialist periodontist and a Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney School of Dentistry. Over the years, he has developed an extensive expertise and leadership in clinical research and specialist practice.
Together with his Clinical Research Team, he has practised and researched dental implant treatment for many years, including contemporary concepts in implant dentistry.
To explore your options and discover how our team can help transform your smile, schedule a consultation with Professor Alex Quaranta. Your journey to a brighter, more radiant smile starts here. Contact us today to begin the conversation.