Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and is closely linked to serious systemic conditions including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. At Aster Dental Centre in Edmonton, Dr. Khushali Bhanushali, DDS, diagnose and treat both gingivitis and periodontitis at 1265 Aster Blvd. Caught in the early gingivitis stage, gum disease is fully reversible. Left untreated, periodontitis causes permanent bone loss that cannot be recovered.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums without any loss of the bone or connective tissue supporting the teeth. At Aster Dental Centre, gingivitis is typically resolved with a thorough professional cleaning and improved home care, making it fully reversible with no lasting damage.
Periodontitis is the advanced stage where the infection has spread below the gumline, creating periodontal pockets and beginning to destroy the bone holding teeth in place. This bone loss is permanent. Treatment requires scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure that removes bacterial deposits from the root surfaces and smooths them to prevent future attachment. Most patients at our Edmonton clinic need 2 to 4 appointments to complete a full-mouth course of periodontal treatment.
Scaling and root planing at Aster Dental Centre is performed one or two quadrants at a time under local anaesthetic so the procedure is comfortable. The dentist or hygienist uses specialized instruments to clean below the gumline, removing calculus (hardened tartar) from root surfaces and then smoothing the roots to discourage bacterial re-attachment.
After treatment, a follow-up appointment is scheduled 4 to 6 weeks later to measure pocket depths and assess healing. Most patients see significant gum pocket reduction after one course of scaling and root planing. Some patients with severe periodontitis may need additional treatment or referral to a periodontist for surgical intervention.
Scaling and root planing at Aster Dental Centre in Edmonton is priced from $200 to $500 CAD per quadrant (the mouth is divided into four quadrants). A full-mouth course of treatment typically costs $800 to $2,000 CAD depending on severity and number of sessions required. Most Canadian dental plans provide coverage for periodontal treatment; the exact percentage varies by plan.
Aster Dental Centre direct-bills all major insurers, including Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, and Green Shield Canada. For patients without coverage, the practice offers 0% financing. Treating gum disease early almost always costs significantly less than the extractions and replacements needed when periodontitis progresses to the point of tooth loss.
Research consistently shows that untreated periodontal disease is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease, poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, preterm birth, and respiratory infections. The bacteria responsible for gum disease can enter the bloodstream through inflamed gum tissue and contribute to systemic inflammation.
At Aster Dental Centre, patients with diabetes are encouraged to maintain 3 to 4 month recall intervals rather than the standard 6 months because elevated blood sugar impairs gum healing and accelerates periodontal progression. Conversely, treating gum disease has been shown in published studies to improve blood sugar control in diabetic patients. Dr. Bhanushali notes this connection clearly when discussing treatment priorities with at-risk patients.
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We direct-bill Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, Green Shield, Alberta Blue Cross, and all major Canadian plans.
CDCP & NIHB provider.