How Much Does Periodontal Surgery Cost?

Periodontal disease infects the supporting tissues and bones that hold your bones in place and will primarily affect those who are in their 30s and 40s.  According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, it’s caused by poor oral hygiene, smoking, chronic illnesses or using certain medications.

The price for this type of surgery depends on how many teeth need to be treated, the severity of the issue, which treatment option you have done, where you live and the dentist performing the procedure.

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How much is it?

• On average, periodontal surgery is going to cost anywhere from $500 to as much as $5,000 without insurance.   This won’t include the costs if you were to need a bone graft, new implants and/or a tooth extraction. Since each situation is going to be unique, the costs can greatly vary.  Refer to our table below for the most common types of procedures, along with the price range we have found.
• Laser periodontal surgery, unlike traditional periodontal surgery, will allow the tartar to remain in the pockets, but the process will attempt to kill the bacteria.  Laser sessions could cost $250 to $400 each, and Periopeak.com says you should expect at least six to eight sessions, at a minimum, to see desirable results.  A full mouth treatment, for example, could cost between $4,000 to more than $15,000 without dental insurance.

NOTE:  Special thanks to PerioPeak Innovations, the website we sourced above, for providing a lot of this information.

What is going to be included?

• Surgery can either be performed via a non-surgical method, known as scaling and root planing, via gum flap surgery or by using laser therapy.  During the non-surgical method, the dentist will clean the surface of the teeth and will expose the root so that he or she can remove any tartar, plaque or bacteria surrounding the root.  Alternatively, if this procedure doesn’t work, then they may perform a gum flap surgery, which is the process of cutting back the gums and deep cleaning the roots beneath.  With laser therapy, the dentist will use a laser to access and remove the inflamed gum tissue around the room of the tooth.  When the tissue is removed, the scaling will begin.  According to Colgate, the dentist will smooth the root with an instrument to remove any rough spots that may be attracting bacteria, and after this has been done, the gum and root will regenerate during the healing process.
• Regardless of which procedure you choose, it will always be done in an outpatient center by either a dentist or periodontist.  Most procedures will take one to two hours to complete.

What are the extra costs?

• Before the treatment plan is considered, the dentist will want to consult with you to discuss your options and take x-rays.  This exam, along with the x-rays, could be an additional $100 to $400.
• A full mouth cleaning may be required before the procedure begins, and this could or could not be included in the initial quote.
• A follow-up appointment will be required to make sure the patient is healing properly.  A follow-up dentist appointment will be no different than any other exams and may or may not be included in the initial quote. If not, this could be an additional $40 to $100 for the office visit.
• Some treatments will require special medication.  For example, the perioscopy procedure will require antibiotics such as Arestin and Atridox.   These medications, depending on the office billing policy, may be charged separately.  Arestin, for example, can cost another $50 to $110 if it has to be administered on site.
• In some cases, an extraction and/or bone graft may be required, depending on the patient’s condition.  For example, extracting a tooth and replacing it with an implant and performing surgery can cost close to $5,000 per quadrant.

Tips to know:

• Periodontal surgery will not be a cure for this disease and can reoccur if not cared for properly.  Instead, this surgery is designed to help keep the area clean from allowing the bacteria to spread.  If the bacteria builds back up after the healing process, surgery may be needed again.
• While the surgery tends to be painless, soreness may occur one to two days after the surgery has been performed.  Once of the most common complaints includes sensitivity to hot and cold liquids.
• According to the Academy of General Dentistry, using a laser carries a lot of benefits:  no general anesthetic is needed, the laser can precisely target the targeted area and the recovery time will be a lot shorter when compared to traditional methods.

How can I save money?

• Even though it could be too late, prevention is always better than a cure.  Always visit your dentist at least every six months, and be sure to floss and brush your teeth daily to prevent the bacteria buildup.
• If you do have a dental insurance plan, talk with your provider to see if this type of procedure is covered.  As long as its deemed medically necessary, you shouldn’t have a hard time getting your claims approved.  Even if you don’t have insurance, consider checking with DentalPlans.com to see if you can use it at a local dentist office to save more than 60 percent.
• Local dental school clinics may be able to offer guidance and/or even perform some of the procedures mentioned above for a lower cost.  While you will be working with students, do keep in mind they will be monitored by an experienced dentist.

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