Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
Pocket reduction surgery treats periodontal pockets that stay deep after non-surgical cleaning. The gum is lifted back, the root surfaces and bone are cleaned under direct vision, and the gum is re-secured closer to the tooth so the pocket is shallower and can be kept clean. We confirm the number of visits and the time involved for your case at your initial consultation.
Led by Dr Ope Sodeinde, GDC-registered specialist periodontist, at our Primrose Hill practice.
A pocket forms when infection detaches the gum from the tooth and destroys the bone beneath. Once it is deeper than a few millimetres, neither brushing nor routine cleaning can reach the bottom, and the bacteria keep working. We provide periodontics in London for this, starting with non-surgical periodontal therapy: scaling and root planing to remove the tartar below the gum line, or laser gum therapy where that is the better fit. Surgery is for the pockets that do not respond.
Deep pockets left alone lead to loose teeth and, eventually, tooth loss. Reducing them stops the bone loss and gives the tooth a stable base. The same principle applies to earlier stages that need gingivitis treatment, and to implants, where we provide peri-implantitis treatment to protect the bone around them.
We work diagnosis first, so you only pay for the treatment you need. Dr Ope Sodeinde measures the depth of each pocket at your consultation and decides on that basis whether surgery is warranted.
Leave your number and we will call you back. Nothing is booked until you say so.
Many people put off seeking help for receding or bleeding gums. Our aim is to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible, and the earlier we see you, the more options there are. We assess each case individually: surgery is for pockets that remain after scaling and root planing, and where recession is the main problem we may recommend gum grafting for recession instead. Dr Ope Sodeinde sets the course of action at your clinical assessment.
We measure the depth of the gaps between your teeth and gums and review your x-rays. This tells us whether surgery is needed or whether laser gum therapy is a better fit, and we explain the findings so you understand what is proposed.
Under local anaesthetic, the specialist lifts the gum, removes diseased tissue and cleans the root and bone surfaces, so bacteria can no longer pool against the root. If gum surgery makes you anxious, we provide sedation for gum surgery.
The gum is repositioned and sutured to form a tighter seal around the tooth. In some cases this is combined with crown lengthening to expose more tooth structure.
The gum needs time to knit back to the root surface. We review the site while this happens and remove the sutures once it has settled.
Surgery removes the current infection, but gum disease returns without a strict maintenance programme. Regular professional cleaning and pocket measurements are the only way to protect the result.
Your surgery is carried out by Dr Ope Sodeinde, specialist periodontist (GDC No. 104071), who examines your gums and reviews your medical history before recommending it. Non-surgical care comes first wherever it can work: subgingival cleaning and root debridement, and laser gum therapy for localised pockets. Where a crown needs more tooth to sit on, we also provide crown lengthening.
Long-term health depends on consistency. Follow-up appointments let us check healing, and gum irrigation sessions can reduce inflammation between visits. Supporting care includes gingivitis treatment, scaling and root planing, and gum abscess drainage.
Fees depend on how many areas need surgery. We set the exact cost at your clinical assessment, once we have measured the pockets and the health of the surrounding tissue.
The procedure time depends on the number of areas treated. We give you a specific timeframe at your consultation.
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, and sedation is available if you are anxious. If you have had painful treatment before, including gum abscess drainage, tell us and we will plan around it.
That depends on your home care and professional upkeep. A maintenance programme protects your bone levels and keeps the disease from returning.
Whether your concern is receding gums or persistent bleeding, a clinical examination settles whether surgery applies. Dr Ope Sodeinde measures your periodontal pockets and sets out the plan. You can learn what happens at your first periodontal consultation and how to book, or call the team on 020 7589 7792.
A consultation with Dr Ope Sodeinde confirms whether this procedure is right for you, with a clear answer on costs and timeframes. Related pages on this site:
Dr Ope Sodeinde provides a written plan and itemised quote that is yours to keep and use at any other practice. Arrange your assessment with the specialist periodontist to find out whether surgery is needed.
Call 020 7589 7792.
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111 Regent's Park Road, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8UR
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