Choosing A Private Dentist for Gum Disease: 6 Compelling Reasons
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK, yet it remains one of the most undertreated conditions in dentistry. Many people are aware their gums aren’t quite right – they bleed when they brush, feel tender, or have been told their pockets are deep – but they don’t always know where to turn, or whether seeing a private dentist for gum disease is worth the investment.
The short answer is that it very often is. Here’s why.
One of the most significant advantages of seeing a private dentist for gum disease is the speed at which you can access treatment. Gum disease is progressive – it doesn’t stay still while you wait. The earlier it’s diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome, and the less extensive the treatment required.
NHS waiting times for specialist periodontal care can be significant, and in many areas access to a specialist via NHS referral is limited. Privately, you can typically be seen much sooner, and if specialist input is needed, that referral pathway is far more direct.
Not all gum disease requires specialist input, but moderate to severe periodontitis – or cases that haven’t responded to initial treatment – often benefits from the expertise of a periodontist. A specialist periodontist has completed additional postgraduate training specifically in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and the supporting structures of the teeth.
At The Briars, Sharmila Khopade is our specialist periodontist and accepts referrals from other practices as well as seeing patients directly. Having a specialist in-house means patients don’t have to travel to a separate hospital or clinic – treatment is coordinated seamlessly within the same practice, with the same team.
A private dentist for gum disease can dedicate more time to your assessment than a standard NHS appointment typically allows. Understanding the full picture of your periodontal health requires careful pocket charting, a detailed review of your X-rays, an assessment of risk factors, and an honest conversation about what the findings mean and what treatment involves.
At The Briars, all OPG and CBCT radiographs are reported by a consultant radiologist – the same standard you’d find in a hospital setting. This level of diagnostic rigour means nothing is missed in the planning of your care.
Private practices that invest in their patients invest in their technology. Treating gum disease effectively isn’t just about clinical skill – it’s also about the tools available to support that skill.
At The Briars, our hygienists use Guided Biofilm Therapy as standard at every hygiene appointment. GBT uses a combination of disclosing, airflow technology, and ultrasonic instruments to remove biofilm and deposits from around the teeth and beneath the gum line thoroughly and comfortably. For patients with active gum disease or a history of periodontitis, this level of professional cleaning is significantly more effective than conventional scaling alone.
We also have the Waterlase laser available for periodontal treatment, which allows precise work on the gum tissue with minimal discomfort and excellent healing outcomes.
Gum disease doesn’t exist in isolation. It affects the long-term prospects of restorative treatment, implant placement, and orthodontic treatment. Seeing a private dentist for gum disease within a multidisciplinary practice means your periodontal health is considered in the context of your overall dental care — not treated in a silo and then handed back.
At The Briars, Sharmila works alongside our implant surgeons, restorative specialist, and general dentists to ensure that patients with a history of gum disease receive joined-up care. If you’re considering dental implants, for example, your gum health needs to be stable first — and having everyone under one roof makes that coordination straightforward.
Managing gum disease is a long-term commitment, not a one-off treatment. The goal of periodontal treatment is to stabilise the condition, reduce the risk of further bone loss, and help you maintain healthy gums for the long term. That requires regular professional maintenance, consistent home care, and a relationship with a dental team who knows your history.
A private dentist for gum disease can offer continuity of care in a way that can be harder to maintain in high-volume NHS settings. You’ll see the same clinicians, your records are fully documented, and your long-term maintenance is planned around your specific needs rather than a generic interval.
The British Society of Periodontology has useful patient information about gum disease and its treatment, including guidance on what to expect from periodontal care and how to find a specialist.
If you’ve been told you have gum disease, have noticed symptoms such as bleeding gums, loose teeth, or persistent bad breath, or if you’re aware that your gum health hasn’t been properly addressed for some time, seeing a private dentist for gum disease is a worthwhile step.
At The Briars, you can self-refer directly to Sharmila for a periodontal consultation, or speak to our team about the right starting point for your situation. We also accept referrals from other practices across West Berkshire and beyond.
Get in touch to find out more or to book your consultation, and find out more about the benefits of seeing a private dentist for gum disease diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.
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