Gum disease treatment
Gum disease treatment in Vietnam for New Zealand patients
Periodontal treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic for NZ patients — why active gum disease must be treated before implants or major restorations, indicative prices, and what to expect.
Active gum disease must be stabilised before dental implants or major restorations can proceed; at Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam, periodontal scaling and root planing costs approximately NZD 100–350 per session as of May 2026 (1 NZD = 15,000 VND), compared with NZ private benchmarks of NZD 200–500+ per session, with a strong recommendation that every NZ patient get a full periodontal assessment from their NZ dentist before booking any major treatment trip.
Healthy gums are the foundation on which every major dental restoration depends. Before an implant can be placed, before veneers can be bonded, before crowns can be seated at the gum line — the periodontal status of the mouth must be assessed and any active disease must be under control. This is not a preference or a recommendation; it is a clinical prerequisite. Placing implants into a mouth with active periodontal infection significantly increases the risk of implant failure. Restoring teeth with inflamed, receding gums produces results that will not remain stable.
Many New Zealand patients who travel for implants or cosmetic work have undiagnosed or untreated gum disease. It is one of the most common reasons a planned treatment changes on arrival. The most practical thing any NZ patient can do before booking a Picasso trip is ask their NZ dentist for a full periodontal assessment — and share that assessment with us before they fly.
What gum disease is
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. The gums appear red or purple rather than pale pink, bleed easily on brushing or probing, and may feel tender or swollen. The bone and attachment fibres holding the teeth in place are not yet damaged. Gingivitis is fully reversible with professional scaling to remove calculus and bacteria, and improved daily home care. Left untreated, it progresses.
Periodontitis is irreversible. Bacteria have migrated below the gum line and are attacking the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Pocket depths (the space between the tooth and gum measured by a probe) deepen beyond the normal 1–3 mm as attachment is lost. Bone recedes. Over time, teeth may become mobile. The bone loss from periodontitis cannot be regenerated by scaling alone — the goal of treatment is to halt progression and achieve stability, not to restore what has already been lost.
Severity staging. Periodontitis is classified from Stage I (mild — early bone loss, pockets 4–5 mm) through Stage IV (severe — significant bone loss, tooth mobility, potential tooth loss). Grading (A, B, C) reflects the rate of progression. Stage III–IV disease in a patient with multiple planned implants is a clinical concern that must be addressed before any implant surgery.
Signs to watch for:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Gum recession — teeth appearing longer than they used to
- Persistent bad breath despite good hygiene
- Teeth that have shifted in position or feel loose
- Dull aching around the gum line
- Sensitivity at the root surfaces where recession has exposed the root
Many patients with periodontitis have no pain. Periodontal disease is frequently under-diagnosed without a full probing assessment by a dentist or hygienist.
Why it must be treated before major dental work
Dental implants. An implant is a titanium fixture placed in the jawbone. It requires healthy bone and healthy surrounding tissue to integrate and remain stable. Patients with active periodontitis carry a significantly elevated risk of peri-implantitis — an infection around the implant surface that destroys bone and causes implant failure. Multiple studies have found that patients with a history of periodontitis have higher implant failure rates than periodontally healthy patients, particularly when the disease was not fully stabilised before placement. This is not a risk we take. Active periodontal disease is a contraindication to implant placement at our clinic.
Porcelain veneers. Veneers are bonded to tooth surfaces that extend to the gum line. Inflamed, receding gums change the gum margin position over time — a veneer that looks precisely fitted today will show its margin as recession progresses. The aesthetic result degrades as the gum disease advances. Veneers placed on a patient with active gum disease will not remain stable.
Crowns. Crown margins sit at or just below the gum line on the front teeth and at or above on back teeth. In inflamed tissue, the margin position at cementation is not the same as it will be once the tissue has healed or receded. Cement washout and secondary decay are more common in the presence of chronic inflammation.
General principle. Any restoration placed in an environment with active infection is working against biology. Treat the infection first. Then restore.
Our periodontal treatment options
| Treatment | Indication | Picasso indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Supragingival scale and clean | Gingivitis; routine maintenance | NZD 80–150 (see /dental-checkup-cleaning/) |
| Subgingival scaling and root planing | Early to moderate periodontitis; pockets 4–6 mm | NZD 100–250 per session |
| Full-mouth debridement | Moderate to severe generalised disease; first active treatment session | NZD 150–350 |
| Periodontal flap surgery (per quadrant) | Advanced disease; pockets that do not respond to non-surgical treatment | NZD 300–600+ per quadrant |
Prices are indicative as of May 2026 at 1 NZD = 15,000 VND. Final pricing depends on disease severity, number of quadrants requiring active treatment, and whether surgical access is needed. We confirm the treatment plan and itemised price in writing after reviewing your periodontal chart and X-rays.
See full pricing for every treatment line.
NZ vs Vietnam — the economics
| Treatment | NZ private indicative range | Picasso indicative | Indicative saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scaling and root planing (per session) | NZD 200–500+ | NZD 100–250 | NZD 100–250+ |
| Full-mouth debridement | NZD 300–600+ | NZD 150–350 | NZD 150–300+ |
| Periodontal flap surgery (per quadrant) | NZD 500–1,200+ | NZD 300–600+ | NZD 200–600+ |
NZ benchmarks are anonymous indicative ranges for 2026 private general practice, not sourced from any named clinic.
For patients who need both periodontal treatment and major restorative work in the same trip, treating gum disease at Picasso rather than separately in New Zealand before travelling is practical. The saving on periodontal treatment combined with the saving on implants or veneers can be substantial.
However — and this is important — periodontal treatment is not a procedure we recommend compressing into a trip without knowing the disease severity first. Moderate periodontitis can be managed in a single trip. Severe generalised disease is unlikely to be fully stabilised within a 7–10 day visit, and the re-assessment appointment 6–8 weeks after initial treatment cannot happen if the patient has already flown home.
The pre-trip recommendation
We ask every New Zealand patient planning major treatment at Picasso to request a full periodontal chart from their NZ dentist before booking. A periodontal chart records pocket depths (at six points per tooth), bleeding scores, gingival recession measurements, and tooth mobility grades. It takes 20–30 minutes for a hygienist to complete and is available from any general dental practice.
Share this chart with us before you confirm travel dates. It allows us to:
- Confirm that your periodontal status is stable enough for planned implants or veneers
- Estimate how much chair time periodontal treatment will require in your trip
- Advise honestly if your disease severity means initial stabilisation in New Zealand first would give a better outcome
- Adjust the overall treatment plan and timeline accordingly
Arriving without a periodontal assessment and discovering significant active disease on day one delays or restructures the entire trip plan. It is a preventable complication that a pre-travel periodontal chart eliminates.
What to expect during periodontal treatment
Scaling and root planing. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic for deep pockets — working below the gum line requires the tissue to be numb. The session is organised by quadrant (upper right, upper left, lower left, lower right) or as a full-mouth session depending on time. Each tooth surface is scaled with hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers to remove calculus, biofilm, and diseased root cementum. Root surfaces are planed to a smooth, clean surface. Post-procedure soreness and gum sensitivity for several days is expected.
Post-treatment response. After scaling and root planing, gum tissue that was swollen and inflamed typically shrinks as inflammation resolves. This can make the teeth appear longer and expose some root surface sensitivity — this is a normal and expected sign of healing, not a complication. The sensitivity resolves over weeks as the tissue stabilises.
Re-assessment. The standard of care requires a re-assessment 6–8 weeks after active periodontal treatment: the pocket depths are re-charted, bleeding scores are recorded, and residual active sites are identified for further treatment or surgical referral if non-surgical scaling was insufficient. For patients who have flown home by this point, the re-assessment is carried out by your NZ dentist or hygienist, who communicates findings to us.
Surgical treatment. For deep pockets (7 mm+) that do not adequately respond to scaling alone, surgical access (flap surgery) allows direct visualisation and instrumentation of root surfaces that cannot be adequately cleaned blindly. Surgical periodontal treatment is a separate episode of care that requires its own healing phase and is generally not combined with implant placement in the same trip.
Ongoing maintenance after treatment
Periodontitis is a chronic condition. Successful treatment does not mean the disease is cured — it means it is controlled. Maintaining that control requires:
- Professional hygiene appointments every 3–4 months for patients with a history of periodontitis (not six-monthly)
- Meticulous home care: effective brushing technique, interdental cleaning with floss or brushes, use of antiseptic rinses if recommended
- Monitoring of pocket depths and bone levels annually on X-ray
- Rapid attention to any new bleeding, recession, or mobility — early re-intervention is far less destructive than letting disease reactivate
Your NZ dentist or hygienist manages this ongoing care after we have treated the initial disease. We provide a complete set of treatment records, the post-treatment pocket chart, and X-rays for your NZ provider at discharge. If you need a referral to a NZ periodontist for surgical follow-up, we document our treatment clearly so any specialist has full context.
When to treat gum disease in NZ before travelling
If your NZ dentist identifies Stage III or Stage IV periodontitis — significant bone loss, deep pockets across multiple teeth, tooth mobility — we recommend completing the initial active treatment phase in New Zealand before booking a major treatment trip. The reasons:
- Initial debridement, re-assessment, and any surgical treatment cannot realistically fit into a single 7–10 day trip
- Implant planning cannot be finalised until post-treatment bone levels are confirmed on CBCT — typically 3–6 months after stabilisation
- Attempting to compress the full periodontal and implant pathway into an inadequate timeframe produces poor outcomes
Once your NZ periodontist or dentist confirms that disease is stable and bone levels are adequate for implant placement, contact us with the periodontal chart and CBCT data. We can then proceed to the implant plan with confidence.
What to send for assessment
To assess your periodontal status before we discuss any treatment plan:
- A full periodontal chart from your NZ dentist or hygienist (pocket depths, bleeding scores, recession, mobility)
- An OPG or full-mouth series of X-rays showing bone levels
- Any CBCT data if implant planning is already underway
- Your NZ dentist’s written assessment or diagnosis
- A list of symptoms: bleeding, recession, sensitivity, mobility, or bad breath
Contact us at [email protected]. We will review your periodontal chart and advise whether your gum status is suitable for the treatment you are planning, or whether we recommend addressing gum disease as a first step before discussing major restorative work.
Next step
If you are planning implants, veneers, crowns, or full-mouth rehabilitation at our clinic, ask your NZ dentist for a periodontal chart before you contact us. Share it with your initial enquiry and we will give you a clear, honest answer about whether your periodontal status is ready for the planned treatment.
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About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group
Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design
Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of gum disease?
Gingivitis is early-stage gum disease: the gums are inflamed and bleed on brushing, but the bone and attachment fibres around the teeth are not yet damaged. It is reversible with thorough scaling and improved home care. Periodontitis is more advanced: bacteria have colonised below the gum line, and the bone and connective tissue attaching the tooth to the jaw are being progressively destroyed. Bone loss from periodontitis is not reversible — the goal of treatment is to halt progression, not restore what has been lost.
Why must gum disease be treated before dental implants?
Implants placed in a mouth with active periodontal disease are at significantly increased risk of peri-implantitis — a destructive infection around the implant that destroys bone and can cause implant failure. The same bacteria responsible for periodontitis can colonise implant surfaces. Any active infection must be resolved and the patient must demonstrate stable, maintainable gum health before implant placement is clinically appropriate.
What does periodontal scaling and root planing cost at Picasso?
Indicative Picasso prices as of May 2026: scaling and root planing approximately NZD 100–250 per session; full-mouth debridement for moderate to severe generalised disease approximately NZD 150–350. Final cost depends on disease severity, number of quadrants requiring treatment, and whether surgical intervention is needed. Prices use 1 NZD = 15,000 VND.
What is the NZ benchmark for periodontal treatment?
Indicative 2026 NZ private-practice benchmarks: periodontal scale and root planing NZD 200–500 or more per session; periodontal flap surgery NZD 500–1,200 or more per quadrant. These are anonymous planning benchmarks, not a quote from any named clinic.
Can gum disease be treated during a Picasso trip?
Mild to moderate gum disease can be treated during a 7–10 day visit: a full-mouth scaling and root planing session can be completed in one or two appointments. Severe periodontitis is more difficult to manage completely within a single trip — the standard of care requires a re-assessment 6–8 weeks after initial treatment to measure pocket depths and plan further intervention if needed. For patients with severe generalised periodontitis, initial treatment in New Zealand before travelling is often the more practical option.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling removes the calculus (tartar) and bacterial biofilm from tooth surfaces above and below the gum line. Root planing smooths the root surface after calculus removal — a smooth root surface is harder for bacteria to adhere to and encourages the gum tissue to reattach. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic for deep pockets and is completed quadrant by quadrant or as a full-mouth session depending on disease extent.
How long does periodontal treatment take?
A single full-mouth scaling and root planing session for mild to moderate disease typically takes two to three hours. Severe disease across all four quadrants may require multiple sessions. Surgical periodontal treatment (flap surgery) is a separate procedure and requires its own healing phase before re-assessment. The re-assessment appointment is typically scheduled 6–8 weeks after initial active treatment.
Who monitors my gum health in New Zealand after Picasso treatment?
Your NZ dentist or hygienist handles ongoing periodontal maintenance after the initial disease is stabilised at Picasso. Patients with a history of periodontitis require hygiene appointments every 3–4 months rather than the standard six-monthly schedule. We provide complete treatment records and pocket chart data for your NZ provider at discharge.