Advanced periodontitis which affects just one tooth can be frustrating — especially when you’ve been doing all the right things with your dentist, but one tooth just isn’t improving. Sometimes, that’s when a periodontist (a gum specialist) can make all the difference.
This month, we’re sharing the story of a 58-year-old gentleman who, after a year of excellent care with his general dentist, was referred to Dr Bruno Delaunay. One of his back teeth had a deep pocket that wasn’t responding to treatment, and the X-ray showed worrying bone loss. Instead of losing the tooth and needing a more expensive implant, Dr Delaunay used advanced regenerative surgery to rebuild the bone and save the tooth.
My Story
“I’ve always been good about seeing my dentist regularly. Last year he noticed that one of my back teeth on the lower right side had gum disease and bone loss. He was great — he did everything he could, including deep cleaning under the gums, known as non-surgical cleaning. This is where they clean the root surfaces carefully to remove bacteria so the gum can heal. It worked in most places, but for this tooth, the pocket stayed at 7mm, and the X-ray showed the bone wasn’t coming back.”
Why I Needed a Specialist
“My dentist explained that he’d taken me as far as he could, and that sometimes, in advanced cases like mine, you need a specialist to step in. He reassured me that referring me wasn’t giving up — it was about getting the right expertise to save the tooth. I really appreciated that honesty and care.”
Meeting Dr Bruno Delaunay
“Dr Bruno explained that I had advanced periodontitis affecting just that tooth. Without intervention, it would likely be lost. He also made a point I hadn’t thought of: if the tooth was lost, replacing it with an implant would cost more than specialist periodontal surgery to save it. He was confident he could help through a process called bone regeneration — essentially rebuilding the lost support using grafting materials. His confidence really put me at ease.”
The Surgery
“In March this year, Dr Bruno carried out the procedure. He lifted the gum, cleaned everything thoroughly, and placed Bio-Oss® and Emdogain®. He explained that these materials encourage new bone and gum to regenerate around the tooth. I was surprised at how straightforward it felt — I had very little pain or discomfort afterwards.”
The Results
“At my six-month review, the difference was amazing. The pocket had reduced from 7mm to just 3mm, there was no bleeding, and the X-ray showed the bone regenerating. I felt no pain or sensitivity, and I was just so happy to know that my tooth had been saved. I’m very grateful — to my dentist for recognising when I needed a referral, and to Dr Bruno for giving me back a healthy tooth.”
Reflection
“Looking back, I realise how important it is to have both a good general dentist and a specialist when you need one. My dentist did everything possible, and Dr Bruno’s expertise in bone regeneration made the difference. I avoided losing a tooth and avoided the higher cost of an implant. Most of all, I feel reassured knowing I still have my natural tooth — and it feels stable again.”
