Cost of Periodontal work?

VickyM_2

Tomorrow I'm going to see my dentist, to find out if he thinks that the pockets on my teeth are so bad I need to see a periodontist for specialist gum treatment (possibly including surgery...:eek: ).

Of course this won't be covered by Denplan, and I was in such a daze when he mentioned it that I didn't ask about costs. Does anyone know roughly how much this will be, from their own experience? I've already cancelled my shopping trip for a new pair of winter boots (:sad:) but should I also be selling all my books on Amazon, and taking any other drastic financial measures??

Any advice appreciated, but if you've got any gory stories about gum surgery please keep them to yourselves - I'm already terrified by the prospect!

Toothsmith

VickyM wrote:

Tomorrow I'm going to see my dentist, to find out if he thinks that the pockets on my teeth are so bad I need to see a periodontist for specialist gum treatment (possibly including surgery...:eek: ).

Of course this won't be covered by Denplan, and I was in such a daze when he mentioned it that I didn't ask about costs. Does anyone know roughly how much this will be, from their own experience? I've already cancelled my shopping trip for a new pair of winter boots (:sad:) but should I also be selling all my books on Amazon, and taking any other drastic financial measures??

Any advice appreciated, but if you've got any gory stories about gum surgery please keep them to yourselves - I'm already terrified by the prospect!

The initial assessment may well be in the region of £100. From there, it will depend upon what he deems to be the necessary course of action. However, you will (or should) get a fully costed treatment plan at that point.

Does your dentist have a hygienist? Part of the treatment may well be a few visits to a hygienist for a good deep cleaning under local anaesthetic (Numbing up). It could well be that if your dentist has a hygienist, she could do this bit, and that would be covered under your Denplan policy.

It could well be that the specialist will want you to see his hygienist, because he will be happier that she understands exactly what he wants her to do.

VickyM_2

Thank you, Toothsmith, that is really appreciated. I feel I know a bit more about the questions I can ask tomorrow now...

I'm hoping that after the initial assessment, I can have the minimum number of visits possible - partly because of the cost, but also because its going to be an hour and a half's drive each way, which isn't exactly convenient. So I will certainly ask if the deep cleaning (if that's going to be part of it) can be done by my usual hygenist.

Debt_Free_Chick

Oh dear - I sympathise, Vicky as I have ongoing periodontal treatment.

Listen carefully to the advice you receive - you will be the most important factor in your treatment. You will need to be religiously thorough in your dental hygiene. I assume you already use an electric toothbrush and use it properly!

Do you use interdental brushes too? If not, that will probably be the first thing they put you on to. The periodontist will supply them, but you can also buy them online

You may not need surgery - especially if you can implement a thorough and robust self-help regime. If you do need surgery, it's straightforward. The gum is split to expose more of the tooth so that tartar below the gumline can be removed. I assume you know, though, that tartar is largely preventable through thorough cleaning.

Some of the best resources on the web are, of course, American sites. I find this one particularly useful.

Do you smoke? If you do, kicking the habit will substantially improve the health of your gums.

If you don't already, you will need to really fall in love with your toothbrush

VickyM_2

thanks for that, Debt-Free-Chick - I love the way that website said that stress and depression can increase your risk of gum disease. It's the gum disease that is making me stressed and depressed, so there's possibly no hope for me!

My toothbrush, my interdental brushes (3 diff sizes) and my hygenist are already my best friends - but unfortunately some of us are just more prone to pockets than others, no matter what I do. Some of them are 7mm and growing, and so I am now booked into see the specialist - £75 for an assessment, and I am trying to block out just how much treatment might cost...:eek: