Seeing a Periodontist: What Happens at Your First Appointment

Seeing a Periodontist: What Happens at Your First Appointment

1st October 2026

Being told you need to see a periodontist can be unsettling, especially if your teeth do not hurt. A periodontist is a dentist with specialist training in treating the gums and the bone that supports the teeth. Gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss in adults, and specialist treatment aims to stop it progressing so you keep your teeth. This article explains what happens at a first appointment, so you know what to expect.

Why you might see a periodontist

Your dentist or hygienist may suggest a specialist if they find signs of advancing gum disease, such as deep pockets between the gums and teeth, bone loss on X-rays, gums that keep bleeding despite good cleaning, or teeth that have started to loosen or move. People are also seen before implant treatment, because implants need healthy gums around them. You can read about that in Am I suitable for dental implants?

You do not have to wait to be told. If you are worried about your gums, you can contact us to ask about a consultation with one of our specialists.

What happens at the first appointment

Your medical history. We will ask about your general health, any medicines you take, whether you smoke, and whether gum disease or early tooth loss runs in your family. Conditions such as diabetes affect the gums, so this information matters for your plan. We explain why in Gum disease and your general health.

A full gum examination. The periodontist will measure the depth of the space between each tooth and the gum using a fine, blunt instrument, recording several measurements around every tooth. They will also note any bleeding, gum recession and how firmly each tooth is held. This is sometimes called a gum chart, and it gives a detailed picture of where the disease is and how far it has progressed.

X-rays. These show the bone around the teeth, which cannot be seen during an examination.

A diagnosis and a plan. The periodontist will explain what they have found, how advanced it is, and what treatment they recommend. Where treatment is needed, you will receive a fully costed treatment plan before anything goes ahead.

What treatment usually involves

For most people, treatment starts without surgery.

• Help with cleaning at home. The way you clean between your teeth makes a real difference to how well treatment works, so we will show you the techniques and tools that suit your mouth.
• Deep cleaning below the gum line. Often called scaling and root planing, this removes the hardened deposits and bacteria from the root surfaces below the gums. It is usually done under local anaesthetic, so the area is numb during treatment. Some tenderness for a day or two afterwards is normal.
• A review. After a few months, the gums are measured again to see how they have responded.

If some areas need more help, further treatment may be suggested. Our periodontal services include gum grafting where gums have receded, and in some cases regenerating bone lost around a tooth. If you are having a graft, our article on what to expect after gum graft surgery covers recovery.

Looking after your gums afterwards

Gum disease can be brought under control, but it can return if it is not kept in check. After treatment, most people need more frequent professional cleaning than before, often every three to four months, along with careful cleaning at home. Our hygiene team works alongside the periodontists on this ongoing care. Stopping smoking also improves how well the gums respond.

Questions worth asking

• How advanced is my gum disease, and which teeth are affected?
• What treatment do you recommend, and how many appointments will it take?
• What can I do at home to help treatment work?
• How often will I need to be seen afterwards?
• What will it cost, and what does the treatment plan include?

Our specialist periodontists

Our practice has two specialist periodontists, Dr Hany Nasry and Professor Julian Satterthwaite. Our current consultation fees are on our fees page.

To book a specialist consultation, contact us online or call the practice on 01625 599 001.