CBAHI Accredited
EN · AR Book Appointment
07 · Periodontics & Gum Care

Healthy gums are the foundation of every smile.

Gum disease is silent — it advances painlessly until teeth are lost. Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf, Consultant Periodontist and faculty member in the Department of Periodontics at KAU since 2010, leads the periodontal programme at AQUA — from early diagnosis through advanced surgical care.

Direct answer

Periodontics is the dental specialty for the supporting tissues of teeth: gum-disease therapy, surgical and functional crown lengthening, bone grafting, and peri-implantitis treatment. At AQUA Dent Clinics in Jeddah, it's led by Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf, consultant periodontist and KAU faculty.

Visits Gum-disease therapy: 2-4 sessions. Periodontal surgery: 1 session + 2-3 follow-ups.
Duration 4-8 weeks to complete periodontal therapy; gum-contouring surgery heals in 2-3 weeks
Price range 600 – 5,000 SAR
What changes price Periodontal treatment SAR 600-5,000 covers deep cleaning, pocket surgery, and laser therapy. Crown lengthening SAR 1,800-6,000. Bone graft and sinus lift when needed SAR 3,300-7,500. Gum graft (Alloderm) SAR 3,000-4,800.

Who this treatment is for

  • Recurrent gum bleeding or swelling
  • Noticeable gum recession
  • "Long-tooth" appearance from recession
  • Gummy smile correction
  • Functional crown lengthening before crown placement
  • Smokers and diabetics (elevated periodontal risk)

When this treatment isn't ideal

  • Cases requiring root canal or extraction first
  • Patients unable to commit to strict daily oral hygiene
  • Very advanced cases with severe bone loss (may require extraction + implant)

Risks & limitations

  • Temporary sensitivity after deep cleaning
  • Post-surgical bleeding (easily controlled)
  • Mild swelling for 2-3 days after gum surgery
  • Possible need for additional procedures if disease progresses

Alternatives

  • Intensive home oral hygiene (insufficient for advanced cases)
  • Waterlase laser therapy (alternative or adjunct to surgery)
  • Extraction + implant (in terminal cases)
Led by

Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf

Consultant Periodontist · KAU Faculty since 2010 · Boston University · Forsyth Institute

Consultant Periodontist and Implant Surgeon. Faculty member in the Department of Periodontics at King Abdulaziz University since 2010, with advanced training at Boston University and the Forsyth Institute. His research published in PLOS ONE on the relationship between blood glucose (HbA1c) and periodontitis has shaped part of our understanding of this connection in the region.

Periodontics Implant Surgery PLOS ONE Researcher
Read profile Book a gum exam
Treatments

What we offer.

From initial therapy for early inflammation to advanced surgery and implant rescue — every pathway begins with a comprehensive periodontal exam and a precise diagnosis of disease stage.

01

Scaling & Root Planing

Removal of calculus and deposits beneath the gumline, with smoothing of root surfaces to prevent bacterial reattachment. A non-surgical treatment under local anaesthesia, suitable for most early to moderate periodontitis cases.

Sessions1–2 visits
AnesthesiaLocal
02

Pocket Reduction Surgery

For advanced cases that have not responded to initial therapy. We surgically lift the gum to reach the bone, remove deep deposits, and reshape the bone to reduce pocket depth so daily cleaning becomes possible.

Healing2–4 weeks
AnesthesiaLocal
03

Gum Grafting (Recession Coverage)

Covers exposed roots and rebuilds receded gum tissue — protecting the tooth from sensitivity and decay while restoring a natural smile line. We use modern techniques with full aesthetic sensitivity.

Healing3–6 weeks
AestheticYes
05

Peri-implantitis Treatment

Rescuing implants threatened by bone loss around them — a common issue years after placement. We decontaminate the implant surface, treat the surrounding bone, and where needed perform advanced surgery. The earlier the diagnosis, the higher the chance of saving the implant.

StagesDiagnosis + Tx
GoalSave the implant
06

Laser Periodontal Therapy

A less invasive alternative to conventional gum surgery in suitable cases. The laser destroys bacteria inside periodontal pockets with precision, reduces bleeding, and noticeably accelerates healing. Recovery in 24–48 hours instead of two weeks, and far less post-operative discomfort.

Healing24–48 hours
BleedingMinimal
07

Supportive Periodontal Therapy (SPT)

For patients who have been treated for periodontitis — visits every 3 months instead of 6, periodic deep cleaning, and ongoing monitoring of pocket depth. This programme substantially reduces the long-term risk of tooth loss.

FrequencyEvery 3 months
LifetimeOngoing
Who this is for

Do you need a periodontist?

Most periodontal patients do not know they are affected. These signs warrant a visit:

Your journey

From diagnosis to long-term maintenance.

Five stages — each one closed with a written decision before moving to the next.

01

Comprehensive Exam

Probing depth around every tooth, panoramic and periapical radiographs, and a bleeding assessment. Accurate diagnosis is half the treatment.

02

Stage the Disease

Classification under the modern AAP/EFP system — gingivitis, or periodontitis (Stages 1–4). We explain exactly where you stand and what your options are.

03

Initial Therapy

Deep cleaning, home-care instructions, and where indicated, locally applied antibiotics. Most cases respond at this stage without needing surgery.

04

Reassessment

After 6–8 weeks, we re-probe and evaluate response. If the result is excellent, we move into the maintenance programme. If needed, we move to targeted surgery.

05

Periodontal Maintenance

Visits every 3 months for life to prevent disease recurrence. Periodontitis can be controlled, not fully cured — and maintenance is what decides the long-term outcome.

Compare stages

Gingivitis, or advanced periodontitis?

The difference between stages is not pain level — it is the degree of supporting tissue loss. Early diagnosis changes the entire trajectory.

Reversible

Gingivitis

Symptoms
Bleeding on brushing, redness, mild swelling
Pocket depth
Less than 4 mm
Bone loss
None — not yet started
Treatment
Professional cleaning + improved home care
If left untreated
May progress to periodontitis over months to years
Surgery required

Advanced periodontitis

Symptoms
Tooth mobility, severe recession, recurrent gum abscesses
Pocket depth
Greater than 6 mm
Bone loss
More than 33% — the tooth may be lost
Treatment
Pocket reduction surgery, bone grafting, sometimes extraction
If left untreated
Inevitable tooth loss within 5–10 years

Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf stages your case precisely through a full exam and radiographs, and offers you the least invasive option first. Surgery is the last resort, not the first.

First 90 days

The treatment journey — day by day.

Most periodontal patients worry about the unknown. This is a realistic timeline for early-to-moderate periodontitis.

Day 1

Exam & diagnosis

Probing of every tooth, radiographs, and a written treatment plan. You leave the clinic knowing exactly where you stand and how long treatment will take.

Week 1–2

Deep cleaning

One or two deep-cleaning sessions under local anaesthesia. Mild sensitivity for 24–48 hours, a light analgesic, then back to normal.

Week 6–8

Reassessment

Re-probing to assess response. Most patients show clear improvement — pockets shrink by 2–3 mm and bleeding stops.

Month 3

First maintenance visit

Routine maintenance cleaning, refreshed home-care instructions, and follow-up on critical sites. The result is locked in.

Annually

Comprehensive reassessment

A full new probing chart + radiographs. If the case is stable, we continue the maintenance programme. If we see backsliding, we intervene early before it worsens.

Coverage & financing

How you can pay.

Medical insurance

We don't bill insurance directly. You pay for treatment at the visit, and we prepare all the itemised invoices and medical reports you need to submit a reimbursement claim to your insurance provider yourself. Periodontal care (deep cleaning, periodic maintenance, surgery) is usually partially covered under most Saudi insurance policies.

Instalments

Comfortable instalment plans over 3, 6 or 12 months via Tabby and Tamara — instant approval, no interest. Especially useful for advanced gum surgery and bone-grafting plans.

A written plan

Before anything begins, you receive a written treatment plan with full pricing for every stage. No surprises mid-treatment. You can review it at home before deciding.

What patients say

Verified Google reviews

4.8 · 284 reviews

★★★★★

Very polite receptionist, nice and clean clinic. Special thanks to Dr. Mohammad Assaggaf — he was very patient with all my questions and concerns, and explained my issue in a simple way for me to understand. Would recommend this clinic to others.

Buthainah Masoud · 2 years ago
★★★★★

Best team ever. Cannot express my appreciation more to Dr Saggaf (Dental Surgeon and Implant consultant) and Dr Mohanad Atwa (Implant consultant) — both are highly professional and skillful. Thank you very much.

Raghda Nazer · a year ago

Curated from 284 Google reviews · 4.8 ★ average

Advanced surgical procedure

Tooth autotransplantation — biological surgery led by Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf.

Beyond gum treatment and crown lengthening, Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf leads AQUA's tooth-autotransplantation team — the procedure where we move a healthy wisdom tooth or extra premolar into a missing-tooth site, instead of placing a titanium implant. Dr. Assaggaf is the first author of the 2025 study in the Healthcare journal on Saudi dentists' awareness of this technique.

See the tooth autotransplantation protocol →
Common questions

What patients ask.

What's the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?

Gingivitis is the early stage — redness and bleeding when brushing, but no bone loss yet. It's fully reversible with professional cleaning and better home care. Periodontitis is what happens once supporting tissue starts to break down — it ranges from mild to severe, requires deeper treatment, but is manageable in most cases when caught early.

Is deep cleaning painful?

It's done under local anesthesia, so you feel nothing during the session. Afterward there may be gum and tooth sensitivity for 24–48 hours, easily managed with a mild pain reliever and warm salt-water rinses. Most patients describe it as easier than they expected.

Can receded gums grow back without surgery?

No — receded gums don't regrow on their own. But the recession can be stopped completely by addressing its cause (aggressive brushing, gum disease, scaling habits). When recession is significant and causes sensitivity or an aesthetic concern, we use gum grafting to cover the exposed root — a modern technique with excellent cosmetic results.

How often do I need to see a periodontist?

A healthy patient doesn't need regular periodontist visits — a general dentist every 6 months is enough. But if you've been diagnosed with gum disease or have implants, supportive periodontal therapy every 3 months with a periodontist is the difference between keeping your teeth long-term and losing them gradually.

Is there a link between diabetes and gum health?

Yes — a strong, two-way relationship. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes (high HbA1c) are at higher risk of gum disease, and gum disease in turn makes blood sugar harder to control. Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf's research published in PLOS ONE addresses exactly this relationship in our region. Regular periodontal treatment improves HbA1c readings in many patients — and this is a core part of our treatment planning here.

Don't wait for symptoms

Gum disease advances silently — early diagnosis saves teeth.

A comprehensive exam by Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf, precise pocket measurements, and a written treatment plan — all in a single short visit.

Book Periodontal Exam See Pathways
Periodontics technology at AQUA

The Biolase Waterlase iPlus all-in-one laser performs many gum procedures with virtually no anesthetic — gum contouring, implant decontamination, pocket therapy. Viso G7 3D imaging assesses subgingival bone before surgery.

See all technology →
Next · Dental Implants
Glossary

Periodontics glossary

Gingivitis
Red, swollen, bleeding gums — an early, fully reversible stage with professional cleaning and home care.
Periodontitis
Progression of gingivitis to bone loss around teeth. Not reversible but can be halted. The leading cause of adult tooth loss.
Peri-implantitis
The implant equivalent of periodontitis — inflammation and bone loss around an implant. Occurs in 5–10% of implants long-term.
Crown lengthening
Reshaping the gum line to expose the teeth's full natural length. Dr. Assaggaf's signature procedure — solves "gummy smile".
Gum graft
Adding gum tissue where recession has occurred. Source: tissue from the palate or a donor. Protects exposed roots.
Guided bone/tissue regeneration (GBR/GTR)
A technique to grow new bone or tissue in a damaged site using membranes and grafts. Foundation of implant success in bone-deficient cases.
Scaling and root planing (SRP)
Deep below-the-gum cleaning to remove tartar and smooth the root surfaces — first-line treatment for periodontitis. Performed under local anesthesia.
Laser periodontal therapy
Using Er:YAG or Nd:YAG lasers to precisely remove bacteria and inflamed tissue while stimulating healing. Less painful than conventional surgery.
Gum recession
Receding gum line exposing tooth roots. Causes: aggressive brushing, gum disease, occlusal pressure, or genetic. Classified Miller Class I–IV to determine treatability.
Connective tissue graft (CTG)
The gold-standard procedure for covering gum recession. Connective tissue is harvested from the palate and grafted beneath the gum at the recession site. 90%+ success rate with full root coverage.
Furcation involvement
Progression of advanced periodontitis into the area between molar roots. Classified Class I–III. Difficult to treat — requires a tailored plan (bone regeneration or extraction).
Periodontal pocket / probing depth
Measurement with a periodontal probe from the gum margin to the bottom of the gingival pocket. Normal 1–3 mm, 4–5 mm early inflammation, 6+ mm advanced periodontitis requiring urgent treatment.
Bleeding on probing (BOP)
Bleeding from the gum on probe insertion — the earliest reliable sign of gum inflammation. Present at 20%+ of sites indicates active inflammation requiring deep cleaning.
Peri-implant mucositis
Soft-tissue inflammation around the implant without bone loss. A reversible stage before progression to peri-implantitis. Detected early via 6-monthly probing.
Gingival biotype (thin / thick)
Classification of gum thickness. Thin biotype is recession-prone post-treatment, thick is more stable. Determined before any cosmetic procedure.

See the full dental glossary →

Compare your options

Why is diabetes linked to gum disease?

This isn't theoretical — Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf published research in PLOS ONE confirming the link. In summary:

Diabetes → gums

  • ✓ Weakened immune response → faster bacterial growth
  • ✓ Slower healing after deep cleaning
  • ✓ Gum recession more common
  • ✓ Diabetics are 3× more prone to periodontitis
  • ✗ Prevention: HbA1c control < 7% + cleaning every 3–4 months

Gums → diabetes

  • ✓ Chronic periodontitis raises HbA1c
  • ✓ Successful periodontal treatment lowers HbA1c by 0.4% (Dr. Assaggaf's research)
  • ✓ Equivalent to adding another diabetes medication
  • ✗ Periodontal treatment must run in parallel with diabetes management — neither alone is sufficient
Safety & risk management

Known risks and how we prevent them.

Gum recession after deep cleaning

Happens naturally when swelling reduces — it's not an error. Mitigation: gradual cleaning across multiple sessions; gum graft later if needed.

Root sensitivity

Exposed roots are cold-sensitive. Solutions: desensitizing toothpaste (Sensodyne), fluoride, or covering the root with bioactive material (Biodentine).

Recurrence

Chronic periodontitis is not cured — it's controlled. Prevention: lifelong commitment to home care + professional cleaning every 3–4 months.

Investment & payment

Full transparency before any treatment begins.

At the first consultation you receive a written, signed quote for each treatment plan — number of sessions, materials, technicians and lab, warranty period, and installment options. No surprise costs later.

We accept: cash, Visa, Mastercard, Mada, Apple Pay, and MyFatoorah. Installment plans up to 12 months are available through MyFatoorah on most treatment plans.

Insurance policy: AQUA does not bill insurers directly. We prepare all receipts, treatment reports, and X-rays in the standard format your insurer accepts so you can submit a reimbursement claim yourself.

Your specialists

Meet the specialists who perform this procedure

Bilingual consultant team combining international board certifications with academic backing from King Abdulaziz University.

Patient cases · Before & After

Real cases from this service

A few representative cases. All photos and details published with the patient's written consent. Click any case to see the full before/after on the doctor's Instagram.

View all periodontics cases →
Author & clinical reviewer

Periodontics & Gum Care

Author
Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf
Periodontics

Dr. Mohamed Assaggaf — consultant periodontist, faculty at King Abdulaziz University since 2010. Research on HbA1c and periodontitis published in PLOS ONE.