Periodontics Wantirna South

Gingivitis — the Early Stage

Gingivitis is the first and most common stage of gum disease. It is caused by the accumulation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, along the gum line, which produces toxins that irritate and inflame the gum tissue. The hallmark signs are gums that appear red or swollen and bleed easily during brushing or flossing.

Gingivitis is largely reversible with professional treatment and improved home care. It does not involve damage to the bone or connective tissue, meaning no permanent harm has been done at this stage. A professional check-up and clean to remove plaque and tartar, combined with better brushing and flossing technique at home, is typically sufficient to resolve it.

The risk of gingivitis is that most patients do not take it seriously. Bleeding gums are often dismissed as normal, they are not. Consistent bleeding on brushing is a sign of inflammation that should be addressed before it progresses.

Periodontitis — Advanced Gum Disease

If gingivitis is left untreated, the infection spreads below the gum line and begins to destroy the bone and connective tissue that anchor the teeth in the jaw. This is periodontitis, a more serious condition that, unlike gingivitis, causes permanent structural damage that cannot be fully reversed.

As the supporting bone is lost, the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, forming deepening pockets between the tooth and gum that harbour bacteria and become progressively more difficult to clean at home. Teeth may begin to feel loose or shift in position. In advanced cases, significant bone loss leaves teeth with insufficient support to remain functional and extraction becomes necessary.

The challenge with periodontitis is that it frequently develops with minimal pain. Many patients are unaware they have significant gum disease until it reaches an advanced stage, which is why regular check-up and clean appointments with pocket depth assessments are essential for early detection.

Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Clean)

Scaling and root planing is the primary non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease and the first line of intervention for patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis. It is a thorough deep cleaning procedure carried out under local anaesthetic to ensure patient comfort.

Scaling removes the plaque, calculus (tartar), and bacterial toxins from the tooth surfaces both above and below the gum line, including from within the periodontal pockets where a standard clean cannot reach. Root planing then smooths the surface of the tooth roots, removing residual bacterial contamination and creating a clean, smooth surface to which the gum tissue can reattach and from which bacteria have difficulty re-establishing.

Depending on the extent of the disease and the number of teeth involved, scaling and root planing may be completed in one or two appointments, treating one half of the mouth at a time. Most patients experience significant improvement in gum health following treatment, with reduced pocket depths and resolution of bleeding. A follow-up assessment is carried out several weeks after treatment to evaluate the response and determine whether further intervention is needed.

Periodontal Surgery

When non-surgical treatment has not been sufficient to control the disease, typically in patients with very deep pockets or significant bone loss, periodontal surgery may be recommended to access and treat the root surfaces more directly.

Flap surgery involves lifting the gum tissue away from the teeth to gain direct access to the roots and underlying bone. The roots are thoroughly cleaned, any irregularities in the bone are addressed, and the gum tissue is repositioned and sutured to reduce pocket depth and improve access for home cleaning. In some cases, bone regeneration procedures using graft material and barrier membranes are performed to encourage the regrowth of lost bone around the roots.

Periodontal surgery is performed under local anaesthetic at Eastern Dental Group and is followed by a structured recovery period and intensive monitoring programme.

Gum Grafting

Gum recession, where the gum tissue pulls back to expose the root surface of the tooth, can result from advanced periodontal disease, but also from aggressive brushing technique, thin gum tissue, or teeth that are positioned outside the natural arch. Exposed roots are sensitive, more vulnerable to decay, and can have a significant impact on the appearance of the smile, making teeth look long or uneven.

Gum grafting is a minor surgical procedure that restores lost gum tissue by transplanting tissue, typically taken from the palate, to the area of recession. This covers the exposed root surface, reduces sensitivity, protects the root from further damage and decay, and improves the appearance of the gum line. Gum grafting is also sometimes recommended prior to dental veneer or crown placement to create a healthier, more even gum margin around the restoration. The procedure is performed by our experienced team as part of our minor oral surgery services.

Periodontal Maintenance

Following active periodontal treatment, patients with a history of gum disease require ongoing professional maintenance to keep the condition stable. Unlike patients with healthy gums who attend for a check-up and clean every six months, periodontal maintenance patients are typically seen every three to four months.

Maintenance appointments at Eastern Dental Group include a professional clean of the periodontal pockets, measurement and recording of pocket depths to monitor for any changes, assessment of gum tissue health, reinforcement of home care technique, and review of any risk factors. Consistent attendance at maintenance appointments is one of the most important factors in preventing periodontal disease from recurring or progressing after treatment.