At a glance
Periodontal treatment is care for gum disease and a key part of preventive dentistry. We diagnose it with gum measurements and X-rays, treat it with professional cleaning or scaling and root planing, and then keep it under control with maintenance visits, usually every 3–4 months.
All of this is done in our office in Richmond, with local anesthetic when needed and a written estimate before treatment. Saturday appointments are available.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visits | Exam, then treatment (often two visits for a deep cleaning), a re-check, then ongoing maintenance |
| Numbing | Local anesthetic (numbing) when needed |
| Price | Written estimate before treatment (see dental prices) |
| Insurance | Most PPO plans (benefits checked before your visit), Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits, and Texas Medicaid/CHIP for children (DentaQuest, MCNA, UHC Dental) |
| Saturday appointments | Yes, Saturdays 9am–3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday |
| Aftercare | Deep cleaning aftercare |
Do you need gum disease treatment?
Gum disease is often quiet. Many people don’t feel pain until it’s advanced. Common signs include:
- Gums that bleed when you brush, floss or eat
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Bad breath or a bad taste that keeps coming back
- Gums pulling away from the teeth, making teeth look longer
- Teeth that feel loose or are shifting, or a change in your bite
- Pus between the teeth and gums
Some people are at higher risk, including smokers and people with diabetes. If that’s you, regular gum checks matter even more.
What are the stages of gum disease?
| Stage | What’s happening | Usual treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Gingivitis | Gums are inflamed and bleed, but no bone has been lost | Professional cleaning and better home care; can be reversed |
| Mild to moderate periodontitis | Pockets have formed and some bone has been lost | Scaling and root planing, then maintenance |
| Advanced periodontitis | Significant bone loss; teeth may be loose | Deep cleaning, close maintenance, and referral to a periodontist if surgery is needed |
What happens at your visit?
- Gum exam: we measure the pocket around each tooth, check for bleeding and recession, and look at X-rays for bone loss.
- Diagnosis and plan: we explain what stage you’re at and what we recommend, with a written estimate.
- Treatment: for gingivitis, a cleaning and home care plan. For periodontitis, scaling and root planing with local anesthetic, often split into two visits.
- Re-evaluation: a few weeks later we measure your gums again to see how they responded.
- Maintenance: regular periodontal maintenance cleanings, usually every 3–4 months, to keep the disease from returning.
Cost, insurance and financing
Gum treatment costs depend on how many areas need care and what kind of treatment you need, so we give you a written estimate before we start. Our article on what determines the cost of scaling and root planing explains the main factors. New-patient exam prices are listed on our dental prices page.
We work with most PPO plans and check your benefits before your visit, so you know what is covered. We also accept Medicare Advantage plans that include dental benefits. For children, we accept Texas Medicaid and CHIP through DentaQuest, MCNA and UHC Dental; we are not in network for adult Medicaid. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care. See insurance we accept.
We accept Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit for patient financing (see financing options), and you can use an FSA or HSA card for dental treatment.
Recovery and aftercare
After a deep cleaning, expect some tenderness and cold sensitivity for a few days. Brush gently with a soft brush, keep cleaning between your teeth, and rinse with warm salt water if sore. Follow our deep cleaning aftercare instructions.
Long-term success depends on two things: keeping your maintenance visits and daily home care. If you smoke, quitting helps your gums heal and lowers the chance of the disease coming back.
Alternatives
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Regular cleanings only | Simple, one visit | Not enough once pockets and bone loss have formed |
| Scaling and root planing plus maintenance | Treats the cause below the gumline; done in our office | Several visits; tenderness for a few days |
| Referral to a periodontist | Specialist care for advanced cases or surgery | Separate office and fees |
| Waiting | No cost now | Bone loss can continue and teeth may be lost |
When to call us
Call us if your gums bleed often, you have swelling or pus around a tooth (we see same-day emergencies during office hours), a tooth has become loose, or you notice your teeth shifting. Swelling that spreads into your face or neck, or trouble breathing or swallowing, needs the ER or 911. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Why patients in Richmond choose us
- Gum exams, deep cleanings and maintenance visits all done in our office, reviewed by a dentist with a public health background
- Saturday appointments from 9am to 3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday hours (Saturday dentist in Richmond)
- Published self-pay prices for new-patient exams, and insurance benefits checked before your visit
- Two dentists, Dr. Arpitkumar Patel and Dr. Harsh Patel, and a team that speaks English, Spanish, Gujarati and Hindi
Related guides
- Types of gum disease and their symptoms
- Why you shouldn’t ignore the early signs of gum disease
- Why do my gums hurt after flossing?
- 5 benefits of scaling and root planing for your gums and teeth
Frequently asked questions
Gingivitis can be reversed. Periodontitis can’t be undone, because lost bone doesn’t grow back, but it can be stopped and kept under control with treatment and maintenance.
Yes. Gum disease destroys the bone and tissue that hold teeth in place. It is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Usually every 3–4 months after treatment. We adjust the schedule based on how your gums respond.
Research has linked gum disease with conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. If you have diabetes, keeping your gums healthy can also help with blood sugar control.
Many PPO plans cover part of gum disease treatment. We check your benefits and give you a written estimate before treatment.