Gum Disease Treatment Cost UK 2026 — NHS & Private Prices
Gum Disease Treatment Cost UK 2026 — NHS & Private Prices
Quick answer
On the NHS, gum disease treatment costs £27.90 (Band 1) for a basic scale and clean, or £76.60 (Band 2) for deeper treatment including root planing — this is the same price regardless of how many quadrants need treating. Private root planing costs £110–£300 per quadrant, so a full-mouth course of four quadrants typically runs £440–£1,200. Specialist periodontist fees in London are at the higher end: £700–£1,600 for a full-mouth course.
Key takeaways
- NHS Band 1 (£27.90) covers basic scaling; Band 2 (£76.60) covers root planing for as many quadrants as needed in one course.
- Private root planing costs £110–£300 per quadrant — a full course (4 quadrants) runs £440–£1,200.
- A specialist periodontist charges more but is appropriate for advanced or non-responding disease.
- Periodontal maintenance visits every 3 months are essential after active treatment: £60–£150 each.
- Smoking dramatically worsens outcomes — quitting is the most impactful thing a patient can do.
Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in UK adults. Around 45% of the UK population has some form of gum disease (Oral Health Foundation), yet many people only find out when their dentist spots bone loss on an X-ray. The good news: caught and treated early, gum disease can be halted completely.
NHS gum disease treatment prices 2026
| Treatment | NHS England/Wales | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| Scale, clean and oral hygiene advice (Band 1) | £27.90 | Free |
| Root planing / subgingival debridement (Band 2) | £76.60 | Free |
| Periodontal surgery (Band 3) | £332.10 | Free |
The NHS Band 2 charge covers as many quadrants of root planing as needed in a single course of treatment — a significant saving over private treatment if multiple areas are affected.
Private gum disease treatment prices 2026
| Treatment | UK average | London |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal assessment | £80–£200 | £120–£300 |
| Root planing per quadrant | £110–£300 | £180–£400 |
| Full-mouth root planing (4 quadrants) | £440–£1,200 | £700–£1,600 |
| 3-monthly maintenance visit | £60–£150 | £85–£200 |
| Periodontal surgery per quadrant | £600–£1,500 | £900–£2,000 |
Gingivitis vs periodontitis: does it affect the cost?
Gingivitis is the early, reversible stage of gum disease — gums are red, swollen and bleed when brushed. Treatment is a professional clean plus oral hygiene coaching: NHS Band 1 (£27.90) or a private hygienist appointment (£60–£150). No surgery is needed.
Periodontitis is the more advanced stage where the bone and fibres anchoring your teeth have been damaged. Treatment requires root planing (Band 2 on NHS / £110–£300 per quadrant privately) and ongoing 3-monthly maintenance indefinitely.
Do I need a specialist periodontist?
Most patients with mild to moderate gum disease are treated effectively by their general dentist or hygienist. A referral to a specialist periodontist (a dentist with postgraduate training and GDC specialist registration in periodontics) is appropriate when:
- Pocket depths remain above 6mm after two rounds of root planing
- Furcation involvement (disease reaching the fork of multi-rooted teeth)
- Vertical bone defects that might respond to regenerative surgery
- Implant-related gum disease (peri-implantitis)
Specialist periodontists charge £180–£400 per quadrant for root planing and £900–£2,000 per quadrant for surgical procedures. Referral to the periodontics department at a dental hospital provides specialist-level treatment on the NHS.
What happens without treatment?
Untreated periodontitis progresses at an average rate of 1–2 mm of bone loss per year. Over a decade, this can lead to loose teeth and ultimately tooth loss — requiring implants (£2,000–£3,500 per tooth), bridges or dentures at costs far exceeding the price of early treatment.
Reducing the cost
- Use the NHS if possible — Band 2 (£76.60) covers all root planing in a single course
- Ask for referral to a dental hospital periodontal department — specialist care, often free on NHS
- Stop smoking — dramatically improves outcomes and reduces the number of repeat treatments needed
- Invest in an electric toothbrush and interdental brushes — good home care reduces chair time
- Book a dental therapist rather than a specialist for maintenance if disease is stable
For more information see our gum disease treatment page and our guide to hygienist scale and polish costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does gum disease treatment cost privately in the UK?
Private root planing (deep cleaning) costs £110–£300 per quadrant. A full-mouth course of four quadrants runs £440–£1,200. You also need an initial periodontal assessment (£80–£200) and ongoing 3-monthly maintenance visits (£60–£150 each).
Is gum disease treatment free on the NHS?
Yes — if you are exempt from charges (under 18, pregnant, on qualifying benefits etc.) gum disease treatment is free. Otherwise, it costs £27.90 (Band 1) or £76.60 (Band 2) regardless of how many teeth need treating in one course of treatment.
How many appointments does gum disease treatment take?
A typical non-surgical course involves 2–4 root planing appointments (treating one or two quadrants per session) plus a review at 6–8 weeks. Expect 3–5 appointments over 2–4 months in total.
What is root planing and how much does it cost?
Root planing (deep cleaning or subgingival debridement) is the process of removing plaque and tartar from tooth root surfaces below the gum line under local anaesthetic. It costs £110–£300 per quadrant privately, or is included in the NHS Band 2 charge of £76.60.