That's it though, you can have severe periodontitis and not know about it until your teeth start to drop out. The only way to really know for sure is to have a probe put down into the pocket. Anything over 6mm needs debridement. If you don't, they're not going to fall out overnight but in 5yrs they'll be that much worse. Periodontitis is really undertreated in the UK. But if you're concerned a 2nd opinion sounds like the best idea, they should give you copies of your x-ray for the cost of copying them.

I had to visit a dentist here in '96 and he recommended it be done. I had been having some problems with bleeding gums and my UK dentist had always said not to worry about it - it was normal.

Anyway after I had it done my gums didn't bleed like they used to so I know I'm happy having had it done, even though I had to pay $1200 at the time - got it all back through travel ins.

Check this thread.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281202


Long discussion on dentists. My 'story' is on page 5. Think very carefully before you submit yourself to this procedure. I know 3 people at work who have had it done, and all of them say it was a painful waste of time (& money). In my case the dentist got the diagnosis totally wrong. I hope you know this will not be covered by pretty much most insurance plans as it is elective cosmetic type stuff. How convenient as they can charge you a lot more than the insurance will pay, and they get paid right now as opposed to waiting months for the insurers to pay, what me cynical?

- Tim

Thanks for that link. Scary stories indeed. Obviously, in your case you didn't need it. However, it is not a cosmetic procedure, it is a procedure to treat gum problems and it is covered by my insurance - which doesn't change the fact that I don't want to have the procedure done unless I'm sure that I have a gum problem that needs this kind of treatment.

Prior to coming to the US I hadn't been to a dentist in several years. My job here provides dental coverage so I went to get a long-needed check up. Sure enough, dentist said I needed to have the teeth below the gumline 'deep-cleaned'. Though insurance covered the work, in didn't cover the anaesthetic! I found the whole process wholly worthwhile. A bit of discomfort, but nothing too horrific. My gums are far less sensitive and far less prone to bleeding when I floss. My only complaint is that insurance companies have never heard of preventative medicine. There's a chip in my front tooth that will cost $400 to fix, but if I wait for it to become infected, they will fix it for free!

Well thats positive. Sounds like it might be a good idea to have it done after all.