Welcome to London Periodontics!

West London Periodontics - Byron, Ontario

I think I may have periodontal (gum) disease. Should I see a general dentist or a periodontist?

A good place to begin would be with your family/general dentist. All general dentists are trained to treat early forms of gum disease. If your family/general dentist feels your condition or treatment needs will require a specialist’s evaluation, he/she will refer you to a periodontist. You do not have to be referred by your family/general dentist to see a periodontist, however, it is helpful if the periodontist has your previous dental and medical records.

For patient convenience, we have the benefit of having our own periodontist at Riverpark, Dr. Inger, who is a certified specialist in Periodontology. Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Inger is quick and easy. Here, she will evaluate your present oral health conditions and determine if you are a candidate for periodontal treatments.

How do I know if I have periodontal (gum) disease?

In order to treat periodontal disease, the periodontist must perform a comprehensive evaluation in order to determine its presence and causes. Some early warning signs may be slight bleeding or redness after brushing or flossing, but sometimes it can have no symptoms. When caught early, periodontal disease can be treated at home with brushing and flossing and in the dental office with professional cleaning (scaling and root planing). More serious cases will likely require surgery.

Will my dental benefits cover periodontal services?

Every benefit provider has its own unique plan. Many benefit providers will cover a portion of periodontal services, but not all providers do. Prior to treatment, we can send a predetermination to your dental benefits and get an estimate of how much of the procedure they will cover. You can decide then if you would like to proceed with the treatment.

What happens if I choose not to treat my periodontal disease?

If left untreated, even mild periodontal disease can lead to serious problems. Periodontal disease causes sensitivity in your teeth, bleeding and painful gums, gum recession, and bone and tooth loss. Periodontal disease has also been associated with heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and even certain cancers. The good news is, many of these medical conditions can be prevented with periodontal treatment and good oral hygiene practices.

How do I begin treatment?

We begin treatment with an initial 30-45 minute consultation in order to determine your diagnosis and treatment possibilities. If we require x-rays, your appointment may take slightly longer. There is a $220 fee for the initial consultation with our periodontal specialist, Dr. Inger.

How do I prevent periodontal disease?

The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to practice good oral hygiene habits, and regular visits with your general dentist. Brushing with toothpaste and an appropriate toothbrush should be done twice a day and flossing between teeth should be done once a day. Mouthwashes are also useful to supplement brushing and flossing because they prevent bacteria from growing. Mouthwashes alone are not enough to prevent periodontal disease. Not removing plaque properly will lead to hardened deposits known as calculus or tartar. This cannot be removed by brushing and must be removed by a professional cleaning at your dental office. If left untreated, this tartar build up can lead to periodontal disease and surgery will eventually be needed.

Are periodontal treatment procedures only for people with periodontal disease?

No. Although periodontal disease is a main reason for visiting a periodontist, it is definitely not the only one. Periodontists also perform cosmetic surgery for people wishing to improve the appearance of their smile, the functionality of their teeth, or to prevent deterioration.

Through surgery, periodontists are able to improve the look of a patient’s “gummy smile” (when teeth look too short) which may be a result of genetics or from taking certain prescription medications.

Tooth loss, while it can be caused by periodontal disease, can also be caused by genetics, injury, and normal aging. In such cases, periodontists are able to perform dental implant procedures in order to improve the way the teeth look and function. Sometimes, before placing dental implants, one may need to undergo a bone graft to provide a strong foundation and support for the dental implant.

Furthermore, gum recession, while it can be caused by periodontal disease, may also be caused by aggressive tooth brushing, lip or tongue piercings, genetics, grinding or clenching teeth, or crooked teeth. A periodontist may perform a gingival (gum) graft surgery in order to stop the gums from receding further. If left untreated, this could cause bone and/or tooth loss.