Gum Disease Treatment
Gum Disease Treatment — Cost Breakdown
Quick answer
On the NHS, gum disease treatment falls under Band 1 (£27.90) for basic scaling or Band 2 (£76.60) for more involved treatment including root planing. Private periodontal deep cleaning (root planing) costs £110–£300 per quadrant, so a full-mouth course of four quadrants runs £440–£1,200. A comprehensive periodontal assessment adds £80–£200. Maintenance visits thereafter cost £60–£150 every 3 months.
Key facts
- NHS Band 1 (£27.90): basic scale and oral hygiene advice
- NHS Band 2 (£76.60): complex cleaning, root planing, minor gum surgery
- Private periodontal assessment: £80–£200
- Private root planing per quadrant: £110–£300
- Full-mouth root planing (4 quadrants): £440–£1,200
- Periodontal maintenance every 3 months: £60–£150 per visit
- Affects 45% of UK adults (Oral Health Foundation)
Gum disease (periodontal disease) is the leading cause of tooth loss in UK adults. Gingivitis is the early, reversible stage; periodontitis is the more serious stage where bone and tissue loss has begun. Treatment ranges from thorough cleaning and oral hygiene coaching for mild cases to root planing (deep cleaning under the gum line) and in some cases surgical intervention for advanced disease.
What is gum disease treatment?
Patients search for gum disease treatment costs after a dentist or hygienist warns them that their gums are receding, bleeding persistently, or that bone loss is visible on X-rays. The NHS covers most periodontal treatment at Band 1 or Band 2, but waiting lists and limited hygienist time lead many patients to seek faster private treatment. Costs depend heavily on how many teeth are affected and how deep the pockets are.
Who needs this treatment?
- Anyone with gums that bleed regularly when brushing or flossing (gingivitis)
- Patients with persistent bad breath that doesn't improve with brushing
- Patients with gum recession or "long-looking" teeth
- Smokers and diabetics — both groups at significantly higher risk
- Anyone whose dentist has recorded pocket depths of 4mm or more
- Patients with loose or shifting teeth — a sign of advanced bone loss
What does the procedure involve?
Mild gingivitis is treated with a thorough scale and polish plus oral hygiene coaching. Moderate to advanced periodontitis requires root planing: the hygienist or dentist uses hand scalers and ultrasonic instruments to remove plaque and tartar from root surfaces below the gum line, typically one or two quadrants per appointment under local anaesthetic. Each quadrant takes 45–60 minutes. A review appointment 6–8 weeks after root planing assesses whether the gums have healed. In cases of deep pockets or vertical bone defects, a periodontist may recommend flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery) under local anaesthetic, where the gum is gently folded back to allow direct access to the root.
Recovery time
Soreness and sensitivity for 24–72 hours after root planing is normal. Eat soft foods, avoid extremes of temperature and use a soft brush. Gum swelling subsides within a week. Bleeding on brushing should reduce noticeably within 6–8 weeks — this is the key sign that treatment is working. Do not smoke after treatment: smoking dramatically impairs healing and significantly reduces success rates.
How long does it last?
Gum disease is a chronic condition that requires lifelong management. With good home care and regular professional maintenance (typically 3-monthly visits after active treatment), most patients can maintain stable bone levels for decades. Untreated periodontitis causes irreversible bone loss at an average rate of 1–2 mm per year.
NHS Coverage
Falls under Band 1–Band 3. Most periodontal treatment including root planing is covered under Band 2. Periodontal surgery falls under Band 3. Specialist NHS periodontal clinics at dental hospitals provide advanced treatment free to referred patients.
| Nation | NHS patient charge |
|---|---|
| England | £27.90 (Band 1) / £76.60 (Band 2) / £332.10 (Band 3 for surgery) |
| Wales | £20.00 (legacy Band 1) / £62.00 (legacy Band 2) |
| Scotland | Free |
| Northern Ireland | from £10.36 |
NHS charges effective from 1 April 2026.
Private Cost Range
Specialist periodontists charge more than general dentists for the same procedures. A referral to a GDC-registered periodontist (Consultant or Specialist) is appropriate for advanced or complex cases.
| Option | UK average | Central London |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal assessment | £80–£200 | £120–£300 |
| Root planing per quadrant (1 of 4) | £110–£300 | £180–£400 |
| Full-mouth root planing (all 4 quadrants) | £440–£1,200 | £700–£1,600 |
| Periodontal maintenance visit (3-monthly) | £60–£150 | £85–£200 |
| Periodontal surgery (flap surgery) per quadrant | £600–£1,500 | £900–£2,000 |
Private fees compiled from UK clinic price lists and 2026 market surveys.
What Affects the Cost
- Severity of disease — number of affected quadrants and pocket depth
- Whether a specialist periodontist or general dentist performs the treatment
- How many maintenance visits per year are needed post-treatment
- Whether surgical treatment is required in addition to non-surgical root planing
- Practice location (London adds 30–80% for specialist periodontists)
When is this treatment available on the NHS?
Gum disease treatment is fully covered by the NHS. Basic treatment (scale, polish, oral hygiene instruction) falls under Band 1 (£27.90). More complex treatment including root planing falls under Band 2 (£76.60). Periodontal surgery falls under Band 3 (£332.10). In Scotland, NHS patients pay nothing for periodontal treatment.
How to save money on this treatment
- Use the NHS — all periodontal treatment is covered at Band 1 or Band 2
- Ask to be referred to the periodontal department at a dental hospital where specialist treatment is often free or low-cost
- Book a dental therapist directly — they can perform root planing at lower cost than specialist periodontists
- Stop smoking: this is the single biggest thing you can do to improve gum disease treatment outcomes
- Invest in an electric toothbrush and interdental brushes — good home care reduces the number of professional visits needed
Does dental insurance cover this?
Most UK dental plans (Denplan, Bupa Dental, Simplyhealth) cover periodontal treatment as part of base cover. Insurance plans typically refund a fixed amount per periodontal visit (£40–£150). Advanced surgical periodontics may require a specialist referral that some plans cover only partially.
Risks and side effects
- Temporary increased tooth sensitivity after root planing (resolves within weeks)
- Gum recession can become slightly more visible after swelling subsides — this is the gum returning to its proper position
- A small minority of patients need a second course of root planing if initial response is poor
- Rare: minor bleeding or infection after surgical treatment
Red flags to watch for
- Practices that jump straight to surgery without first trying non-surgical root planing
- Private quotes for "full-mouth periodontitis treatment" over £3,000 without a clear breakdown per quadrant
- Clinicians who dismiss bleeding gums as normal — persistent bleeding is always a sign of disease
- Any clinic using unproven laser treatments as the primary periodontal therapy rather than root planing
Alternatives to consider
- Hygienist Scale & Polish — Appropriate for mild gingivitis — basic cleaning plus oral hygiene coaching is often enough at this stage.
- Dental Check-Up — A comprehensive check-up establishes a baseline before deciding on treatment intensity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by plaque — reversible with good cleaning. Periodontitis is a more advanced infection that destroys the bone and fibre holding teeth in place — the damage is not reversible, but it can be stopped.
How long does gum disease treatment take?
A standard non-surgical course involves 2–4 root planing appointments (one or two quadrants per session) over 4–6 weeks, followed by a review at 6–8 weeks. In total, expect 3–5 appointments over 2–4 months.
Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis can be completely reversed. Periodontitis cannot be cured but it can be controlled — bone that has been lost does not regenerate (without specialist grafting), but further loss can be stopped with treatment and maintenance.
Does root planing hurt?
Root planing is carried out under local anaesthetic so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Soreness and sensitivity lasting 2–3 days afterwards are normal.
How much does private gum disease treatment cost in London?
A specialist periodontist in central London charges £180–£400 per quadrant for root planing, so a full-mouth course runs £720–£1,600. Add a £120–£300 periodontal assessment at the start.
How often should I see a hygienist after periodontal treatment?
The standard recommendation is every 3 months for the first year after active treatment. Your dentist or periodontist will review the interval at each visit — stable patients with good home care may be able to extend to 4–6 monthly.