Which Is Right for You?
Non-Surgical vs Surgical Gum Treatment
Both options treat periodontal disease but differ in invasiveness, recovery time, and cost.
Non-surgical therapy, or scaling and root planing, works well for early to moderate disease with pocket depths up to 5 mm. It requires no cutting, heals quickly, and costs less. The limitation is that very deep pockets or irregular bone defects may not fully resolve, leaving some infection behind.
Surgical therapy, including flap surgery and bone grafting, gives direct visual access to roots and bone for thorough cleaning and regeneration. It requires local anaesthesia, sutures, and a longer healing period of several weeks. It also costs more due to surgical time and materials. Patients with diabetes or smokers need extra healing support.
The periodontist confirms the right option after clinical examination, pocket charting, and X-ray review at your consultation.
