Matthew Bell
Best dental practice we’ve ever had. Had a string of disappointments over the years and Pearly Whites is so well organised and professional.
Gum Disease Treatment in Fulham
Root surface debridement treats active gum disease by cleaning underneath the gums, where your toothbrush and a routine hygiene visit can’t reach, to get your gums healthy and keep them stable.
- Treatment for active gum disease, not just a longer, deeper clean
- With our hygienists at £249 an hour
- Or with Dr Rohan Shaffery, who has advanced training in periodontology, at £400 an hour
- Numbed where needed, so you’re comfortable
- Three-monthly cleans to keep your gums stable afterwards
4.6 from 300+ Google reviewsFamily-run practice on Munster Road, SW6
At a glance
Gum disease treatment at Pearly Whites
- With a hygienist
- £249 an hour
- Visits
- Usually two appointments, sometimes more or fewer
What is gum disease?
What happens when gums become diseased
Gum disease starts with plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth every day. If it isn’t removed, your gums become inflamed and bleed when you brush. This early stage is called gingivitis, and it can be reversed with a good clean and better care at home.
Left untreated, it can become periodontitis. The inflammation spreads below the gum line, the gum pulls away from the tooth to form pockets, and bacteria deep in those pockets slowly destroy the bone that holds your teeth in place. It’s often painless, so many people don’t know they have it until the damage is done.
Why it matters
What gum disease can lead to
Bleeding gums
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are one of the first signs of gum disease, and a sign of inflammation that needs attention.
Bad breath
Bacteria trapped in pockets under the gums can cause bad breath or a bad taste that doesn’t go away.
Receding gums
As gum disease destroys the bone and gum, the gums shrink back, making teeth look longer and leaving roots exposed and sensitive.
Loose or drifting teeth
With less bone to hold them, teeth can become loose, move or develop gaps between them.
Tooth loss
Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults. Teeth lost this way can be hard to replace, because the bone has gone too.
Your general health
There is growing evidence that untreated gum disease can have wider effects on your general health, and it has been linked with conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Root surface debridement
Not just a longer, deeper clean
A routine hygiene visit cleans your teeth above and just below the gum line, to keep healthy gums healthy. Root surface debridement is different: it’s a treatment for active gum disease.
We clean deep underneath the gums, down into the pockets, removing the hardened deposits and bacteria stuck to the roots of your teeth, and leaving the root surfaces clean and smooth so your gums can heal and tighten back around your teeth. We numb the area where needed, so you’re comfortable throughout.
Side by side
A hygiene visit and root surface debridement compared
| Feature | Routine hygiene visit | Root surface debridement |
|---|---|---|
| For | Keeping healthy gums healthy | Treating active gum disease |
| Where we clean | Your teeth, above and just below the gum line | Deep underneath the gums, on the roots of your teeth |
| Numbing | Not usually needed | Where needed |
| Appointments | One, every few months | Usually two, then a clean every three months |
| Cost | From £97 | £249 an hour with a hygienist, £400 an hour with Dr Rohan |
Stable, not cured
Gum disease can’t be cured, but it can be controlled
Once you’ve had gum disease, you’re always prone to it, so it can’t be cured outright. The good news is that it responds very well to treatment, and the aim is to make it stable: no active inflammation, and no further loss of bone around your teeth.
Keeping it stable is a partnership. You do most of the work at home, every day, and we see you for a clean every three months, because the bacteria under the gums build back up within a few months. Keeping to that routine is what protects your teeth for the long term.
Your team
Our hygienists and therapists
For most people with gum disease, our hygienists and therapists carry out your root surface debridement, at £249 an hour, and see you for your cleans afterwards. For more advanced gum disease, or if you’d like, Dr Rohan can treat you himself, at £400 an hour.
Dental Hygienist & Therapist
Chantel Jaffer
Guided Biofilm Therapy and root surface debridement.
Meet Chantel →
Dental Hygienist
Opal Scott
Guided Biofilm Therapy and root surface debridement.
Meet Opal →Dental Hygienist & Therapist
Jade Traore
Guided Biofilm Therapy and root surface debridement.
Meet Jade →Your treatment
Treating your gum disease, step by step
Assessment
We measure the pockets around every tooth (a six-point pocket chart), take X-rays to check the bone, and explain what we’ve found in plain English, including how advanced your gum disease is.
Your care at home
We show you how to clean between your teeth with interdental brushes and get the most from your toothbrush. Around 80% of the work is done at home, so this comes first.
Root surface debridement
Usually over two appointments, we clean underneath the gums, numbing the area where needed.
Re-measuring
Once the inflammation has settled, we measure your pockets again to see how your gums have responded.
Keeping it stable
We see you for a clean every three months. If any areas haven’t responded, Dr Rohan will talk you through the options, including gum surgery.
Your dentist
Dr Rohan Shaffery
Dr Rohan has a special interest and advanced training in periodontology, oral surgery and implantology, and is a member of the British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry. After graduating from King’s College London, he completed a Master’s in Clinical Implantology and became a Member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
He oversees gum care at Pearly Whites, working with our hygienists, and carries out our gum surgery when it’s needed.
Your part
Keeping your gums healthy at home
Clean between your teeth
Interdental brushes, used every day, are the most important thing you can do for your gums. We’ll help you find the right sizes.
Brush well
Twice a day for two minutes, ideally with an electric toothbrush, angled gently towards the gum line.
Stop smoking
Smoking is the biggest risk factor for gum disease and slows healing. Stopping is one of the most effective things you can do for your gums.
Keep your appointments
Your three-monthly cleans remove what brushing can’t reach and let us catch any change early.
Costs
Gum disease treatment prices
- Periodontal consultation with Dr Rohan£99
- Root surface debridement with a hygienistUsually over two appointments£249 an hour
- Root surface debridement with Dr Rohan£400 an hour
- Guided Biofilm Therapy with AIRFLOW (30 minutes)For your cleans once your gums are stableIncluded with PearlyPlan£129
Gum treatment is often covered in part by dental insurance: see using your dental insurance.
Reviews
What our patients say
jay
Best dental practive in area..✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
Nicola Gerhard
Always made to feel valued as a patient, Dr Lia is a wonderful dentist.
john hill
Dr Lia and Nurse Shukri
Practice manager Zahra were all wonderful- I actually look forward to coming to the dentist. All so kind & competent & happy.
Justin Thomas
What a wonderful team! I can’t recommend the Invisalign treatment highly enough in the hands of this capable team. Thank you for all you’ve done over the last few months. A very happy client!
Questions
Gum disease FAQs
What is root surface debridement?
A treatment for active gum disease. We clean deep underneath the gums, removing the hardened deposits and bacteria stuck to the roots of your teeth, so your gums can heal.
Is it just a deep clean?
No. A routine hygiene visit keeps healthy gums healthy. Root surface debridement treats gum disease, cleaning down into the pockets under the gums, and is usually done over two appointments.
How much does it cost?
£249 an hour with one of our hygienists, or £400 an hour with Dr Rohan. Most people need two appointments.
Does it hurt?
We numb the area where needed, so you’re comfortable. Your gums may feel tender and your teeth a little sensitive for a few days afterwards.
Can gum disease be cured?
Not outright: once you’ve had it, you’re always prone to it. But it responds very well to treatment and can be made stable, with no further damage, with good care at home and regular cleans.
How often will I need a clean afterwards?
We recommend a clean every three months for anyone with stable gum disease, because the bacteria under the gums build back up within a few months.
What are the signs of gum disease?
Bleeding when you brush, red or swollen gums, bad breath, receding gums, and teeth that feel loose or have moved. It’s often painless, so regular check-ups matter.
Will I lose my teeth?
Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults, but treating it and keeping it stable gives your teeth the best chance for the long term.
Should I see a hygienist or Dr Rohan?
Our hygienists treat most gum disease. For more advanced cases, or if you’d prefer, Dr Rohan can treat you himself. We’ll recommend what’s right for you.
What if some areas don’t get better?
When we re-measure your gums, if any pockets are still deep, Dr Rohan will talk you through the options, which can include gum surgery. Many people never need it.
Bleeding gums or worried about gum disease?
Book an appointment, and we’ll check your gums and explain your options.
