Deep Clean & Periodontal Therapy

When gum disease has taken hold, a routine scale and polish isn’t enough to stop it. Periodontal therapy — often called a “deep clean” — targets the plaque and tartar that have built up below the gum line, where normal brushing and routine hygienist care can’t reach.

🧠 What Is Periodontal Therapy?

Gum disease progresses in stages:

• Gingivitis — red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush. Reversible with good hygiene and a scale and polish
• Periodontitis — deeper infection that starts to break down the bone and ligament holding the teeth in place. Not reversible — but very treatable, and can be stabilised

Periodontal therapy is the targeted clinical treatment for periodontitis. It combines:

• Deep scaling and root debridement — removing plaque, tartar and bacterial toxins from below the gum line, along the root surface
• Smoothing the root surface so gum tissue can reattach cleanly
• Optional adjuncts such as Periochip (a slow-release antibacterial chip placed into deeper pockets)
• Personalised home care plan — because daily maintenance is what keeps the treatment working

🔍 When Is It Needed?

Your hygienist will recommend periodontal therapy if your gum health assessment shows:

• Pocket depths greater than 4mm
• Bleeding on probing in multiple sites
• X-ray evidence of bone loss
• Previous diagnosis of periodontitis that needs maintenance

💬 What to Expect

• Usually 2–4 longer appointments, working through different quadrants of the mouth
• Local anaesthetic is usually used to keep you comfortable, especially for deeper sites
• Some tenderness and mild sensitivity for a few days afterwards is normal
• Clear aftercare — brushing, interdental cleaning, mouthwash routine

🛡️ What Happens After?

We reassess 8–12 weeks after the initial course:

• If things have stabilised, you’ll go onto a tailored maintenance schedule — usually hygienist visits every 3–4 months
• If some sites haven’t responded, further targeted treatment or referral to a periodontist may be recommended

With good maintenance, many patients stop further bone loss and keep their teeth for life.

⚖️ Cost & Availability

Periodontal therapy is available both on the NHS (when clinically indicated) and privately. Private sessions are longer, more thorough, and can include advanced adjuncts. Ask your dentist for a clear, written treatment plan before starting.