Stages

Why visit a specialist?

Our specialist periodontist, Dr Yogi Wadher, is one of few dentists in the Sussex area who offers several types of regenerative procedures and treatments like gum grafts. These can solve the problem aesthetically and help you take control of your condition better in the future.

Below, you can find out about each receding gums stage and what is recommended during each one. However, only a specialist periodontist like Dr Wadher can correctly identify your stage. We can’t tell you the number of patients we’ve treated who assumed the worst when, instead, they found us just at the right time.

The first stage - gingivitis
  • Bleeding gums
  • Inflamed and tender gums
  • Bad breath

Gingivitis presents as inflamed, tender, and swollen gums that might bleed when brushing or flossing. It can also be accompanied by bad breath and pinker-than-usual gums. Additionally, if it’s been a while since your last hygiene visit or you have some plaque and tartar building up in your smile, we recommend coming in for treatment.

Urgency: High. By acting quickly, you can reverse the condition before it progresses into something you’ll have to live with and manage forever.

Recommended treatments: Gingivitis can be reversed with regular hygiene appointments, which involve scaling and root planning to remove plaque and tartar. Improved at-home hygiene will also be recommended.

Estimated costs to fix: From £89 to see the hygienist at our Sussex practice in Burgess Hill.

hygiene appointments

The second stage - early periodontitis
  • Bleeding gums with more intense inflammation
  • Bad breath that won’t go away
  • Visible indication of gum recession with periodontal pockets

Once gingivitis has progressed, it can quickly develop into early periodontitis (the stage just before you develop periodontal disease). Patients tend to experience increased gum inflammation and the usual gum disease symptoms, like bleeding gums, during this stage. However, more concerningly, patients will begin to notice the formation of periodontal pockets, which look like black, triangular gaps between teeth.

Urgency: High. As this stage often results in mild bone loss, patients should act fast to prevent further tissue and bone damage.

Recommended treatments: During this stage, there’s likely a big build-up of plaque and tartar below the gum line, which is speeding up the process. Typical treatments might include periodontal deep cleaning and additional gum grafting procedures to fix the appearance of receding gums.

Estimated costs to fix: Periodontal deep cleaning from / Gum grafting from £1250.

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The third stage - moderate periodontitis
  • Bleeding gums, persistent bad breath and tenderness
  • Visible signs of gum recession and teeth appearing longer
  • Pain at the gum line and teeth beginning to feel loose or wobbly

Once you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, there’s no way back. There’s only management moving forward to ensure your oral health does not deteriorate to a point where you lose your teeth. During the more advanced stages of periodontitis, the treatment involved is more invasive to restore a natural-looking appearance and eliminate the bacteria from below the gum line.

Urgency: Urgent. Ignoring periodontitis at this stage can lead to significant bone loss and tooth instability that might cause them to fall out.

Recommended treatments: Typical treatments can include surgical interventions like flap surgery, gum grafting and periodontal regeneration to cover any exposed tooth roots.

Estimated costs to fix: Flap surgery from £950 / Gum grafting from £1250 / Periodontal regeneration from £1250.

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The fourth stage - severe periodontitis
  • Visibly shrinking gums and exposed tooth roots
  • Loose and shifting teeth (teeth appear long)
  • Large black triangles between teeth or gaps
  • Pus between gums and teeth

At this stage, treatment is not impossible, but it will be more extensive. We’ll have to try to reverse as much of the damage as possible, which might involve several procedures. Surgical procedures alongside gum grafting might also include bone grafts to restore any lost bone mass under the surface. You’ll also be required to visit the dentist regularly to keep up with advanced hygiene sessions and monitoring.

Urgency: Critical. Immediate treatment is advised to prevent tooth loss.

Recommended treatments: Advanced surgical procedures like bone grafts, periodontal deep cleaning, periodontal regeneration, gum grafting & lifts.

Estimated costs to fix: Bone grafts from £500 / Periodontal cleaning from / Periodontal regeneration from £1250 / Gum grafting from £1250 / Gum lifts from £950.

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The fifth and final stage - advanced periodontitis
  • Severe tooth mobility and tooth loss
  • Difficulty chewing and eating
  • Completely receded gums

At this point, much of our work will be restoring your gums and bone to a healthy and manageable state and replacing any teeth lost to gum recession. Our focus will be on addressing the extensive damage first and then beginning to rebuild your oral foundation from the ground up.

Urgency: Critical. Immediate treatment is necessary to save your remaining teeth.

Recommended treatments: Advanced surgical procedures like bone grafts, periodontal deep cleaning, periodontal regeneration, gum grafting & lifts. Additional procedures here might include tooth extraction and dental implants.

Estimated costs to fix: Bone grafts from £500 / Periodontal cleaning from / Periodontal regeneration from £1250 / Gum grafting from £1250 / Gum lifts from £950 / Tooth extraction from £300 / Dental implants from £2800.

Increase your chances of saving your smile by involving a specialist periodontist who works to reverse the effects of gum disease and receding gums daily.

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