Periodontology

Periodontal disease

Periodontal (gum) disease refers to the inflammation and infection of the tissues that support the teeth. Initially, disease starts as bacterial populations grow with failure to adequately remove plaque with effective oral hygiene techniques. Initially the gums become red, swollen, tender and bleed when brushing. Bad breath can also be a symptom.  This is the earliest stage of disease and is called “gingivitis”. This is reversible and can be managed with improved oral hygiene. Professional cleaning, together with Oral hygiene instruction is beneficial. Left untreated, disease may progress. Periodontitis is when the gum condition progresses beyond gingivitis into a chronic, destructive, irreversible inflammatory state. The bacteria penetrate deeper into the gum and bone tissues. tissues and surrounding periodontium. The invading bacteria trigger a host response (this is a reaction of living tissue to the presence of a foreign material) in defence. However, while trying to protect against the invading bacteria, the host defences also lead to the destruction of the periodontium (the supporting structure for the teeth, consisting of periodontal ligament, cementum, gingiva, and supporting bone).

Symptoms include bleeding gums, bad breath and loose teeth; however disease progression can often be insidious, progressing unbeknownst.

Regular dental examinations are essential for early diagnosis. Without treatment, tooth may become inevitable.

Why Choose Us?

We have dedicated teams of skilled clinicians who embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, within cutting-edge facilities, and are committed to your goals, providing you with the smile you deserve. Experience the difference today.

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Free Cosmetic Consultations

Discover exceptional dental care with a Free Cosmetic Consultation, tailored to your needs and delivered by skilled professionals.

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Bespoke Treatments

Experience tailored dental care personalised to your unique needs for a healthy and confident smile.

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Locally Owned

We own and operate five dental practices across South Wales making us your perfect local choice.

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Modern Equipment

Experience advanced dental care with the latest technology and patient-friendly modern equipment.

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Rated 5 Stars

Trust our top-rated dental care, backed by 5-star customer reviews, for exceptional service and satisfaction.

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Friendly Team

Experience our friendly and supportive team of dental experts and practice staff all here for your treatment journey.

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30+ Years Experience

Rely on over three decades of dental experience for expert patient care and peace of mind in your dental journey.

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Luxury Experience

Feel at ease at our dental practices, providing an inviting and comforting environment for your dental care.

Meet Our Periodontal Team

Dr Gabriella Leatherdale-Tiba
Clinical Lead in PeriodontologyGDC No: 214556
DMD (2011), MSc (Periodontology, 2022)

I treat patients with periodontal disease referred to me by other dentists both with conventional therapy (root surface debridement, bone regeneration surgeries) as well as using laser (waterlase) where it's necessary....

Sally Hooper
Dental HygienistGDC No: 4717
Dip DH (Cardiff University, 1994)

I'm passionate and motivated in helping patients with their dental health. Encouraging them their use of daily toothbrushing and interdental cleaning....

Can I meet my dentist before the treatment?

Absolutely! Your clinician wil introduce themselves when you meet at your first visit. Building a strong patient-dentist relationship is important to us. Your initial examination visit enables us to understand your needs and address any concerns. We ensure open communication, so you can freely discuss any worries before proceeding with treatment. Your comfort and peace of mind are our top priorities.

Meet Our Expert Team

Is there on-site parking at your practices?

The Llanthewy Road practice has some on site patient parking.

All of our other practices have ample parking facilities nearby.

How long will the treatment last?

This will vary from individual to individual. It very much depends on factors such as a person’s age and lifestyle, the structure of the skin, and the degree of correction required. Most clients choose to have a repeat treatment within a year, since the main component of both products (hyaluronic acid) is a natural substance which dissolves over time.

How much will it cost?

All treatment plans will be discussed with you at the examination appointment, along with associated costs.

Complex treatments, may need multiple visits to complete the investigations needed prior to providing an estimate. This will be printed at reception, or if preferred emailed to you.

Please look at our Fees page for more details.

See Our Treatment Fees

What are the risks and complications of a root canal treatment?

In most cases, root canal treatment is successful and the tooth should settle over a few days and no longer cause pain. However, there is always some risk depending on the condition of the tooth, your oral hygiene, and the biting forces on the tooth.

Risks and complications include:

Mild temporary pain/discomfort due to inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth.

The tooth might darken over time. There are procedures available which may lighten the tooth if this occurs.

Tooth fracture may occur due to reduced strength and durability of the tooth. Thi may lead to tooth extraction.
This risk is reduced when a crown fitted.

Uncommon risks and complications:

The fine metal files used to clean inside the root canals may break during use and remain in the tooth, this may or may not affect the success rate of the root canal treatment.

Depending on the size and shape of the roots, there is some risk of creating a hole
in the side of a tooth root during the cleaning process, this is called a perforation.

If you experience persistent pain, return to your treating dental practitioner.

If you develop an infection return to your treating dental practitioner.

Root canal tratment might fail. The tooth may require further treatment or even extraction.

Is root canal treatment always successful?

With all procedures there is a possibility that it may not work. This applies to root canal treatment as well as any other treatment. There are a variety of reasons why it may not work. some of these reasons include but are not limited to:

Failure to adequately disinfect, leaving bacteria in the canal system, resulting in recurrence of infection.

Failure to instrument all the canal system.  In some teeth the root canals can be incredibly small (often as small as one tenth of a millimetre across or even smaller). Dentists who carry out a lot of root canals usually utilise high powered magnification to help them find and treat such small canals.

Failure to fill and seal the root canals adequately, allowing bacteria from the mouth to reinvade the root canal system and set up infection again.

Inappropriate instrumentation technique that does not allow for adequate disinfection and sealing of the root canals.

Severe fracture of the tooth leaving remnants that cannot be fixed again.

If the dentist feels there is a significant risk of treatment failure, possible causes will be discussed, so you can make an
informed decision regarding treatment.

Which practice should I join?

The Cox & Hitchcock Dental Group operates several dental practices across South Wales. Fot your convenience, we would recommend joining us at your nearest location to home or work . For some advanced treatments, you may benefit from the services offered at a particlar site. We will advise you accordingly. You can find your nearest dental practice by browsing all our locations.

Find Your Nearest Practice

Where can I have laser treatments?

Although the Waterlase iPlus® is a mobile unit, it is a very delicate instrument. It’s also very expensive to maintain and repair. So, we limit use to our Cyncoed practice where our trained clinicians carry out a variety of procedures. Please contact the Cyncoed practice for details.

Is orthodontics the best thing for me?

Orthodontics is one option of many in treating an irregular, crowded or spaced dentition. Seeing our team will help you find out the different options available, before you proceed along any path.

Is there on-site parking at your practices?

The Llanthewy Road practice has some on site patient parking.

All of our other practices have ample parking facilities nearby.

Does root canal treatment hurt?

With modern anaesthesia and techniques, root canal treatment is generally a pain free procedure. However it is likely that the patient will get some post-operative discomfort after the anaesthetic has worn off. In the vastmajority of cases this can be controlled with regular over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen and paracetamol.

How can I join the Practice?

Please contact our reception team who will be happy to discuss your options for joining the practice.

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What is a Waterlaser?

The Waterlase iPlus® is an all tissue laser. The system combines a gentle water spray and laser energy for  successful use in a variety of dental procedures including treatment of teeth, gums and bone.

Can I meet my dentist before the treatment?

Absolutely! Your clinician wil introduce themselves when you meet at your first visit. Building a strong patient-dentist relationship is important to us. Your initial examination visit enables us to understand your needs and address any concerns. We ensure open communication, so you can freely discuss any worries before proceeding with treatment. Your comfort and peace of mind are our top priorities.

Meet Our Expert Team

Veneers

Veneers offer a solution to radically improve the appearance of discoloured, misshapen or mis-aligned teeth.

Dentures

Experience the remarkable restoration offered by implant-retained dentures, a highly effective and durable treatment that ensures stability and confidence for those with missing teeth.

Fillings

Fillings are used to repair decayed or damaged teeth, restoring their shape and functionality. We first recommend a dental examination to determine if a filling is needed.

Implant Dentistry

Implant dentistry is a specialised field focused on replacing missing teeth with artificial tooth roots, providing a strong foundation for prosthetic teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth.