Which patients may be referred for periodontal treatment?
Periodontal disease is often not referred until the disease has progressed beyond its initial and most treatable phase. The disease can progress at varying rates depending upon a number of factors and lack of diagnosis and referral has become the highest cause of litigation in dentistry today.
We accept referrals for a range of treatments associated with periodontology:
- Treatment of periodontitis
- Root re-section and hemi-section
- Treatment of peri-implantitis
- Root coverage including connective tissue grafts, pedicle grafts and coronally advanced flaps
- Crown lengthening
- Periodontal plastic surgery
- Frenectonmy and frenotomy
- Treatment of gingival enlargement
The Treatment Process
We will provide the referring practitioner a copy of the referred patient’s treatment plan that will include details of initial phase of therapy including patient education and an oral hygiene regime and where appropriate smoking cessation. This phase of treatment often includes root debridement that can be carried out by the periodontist or dental hygienist. The initial phase of treatment is completed with a review of progress and planning of next phase.
The definitive stage of treatment usually involves surgery to enable better access to carry out further debridement, regeneration or resection.
Following the completion of a course of treatment the patient will be provided with supportive periodontal therapy to assist in the long term life of dentition or its implant replacement.
