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Our Services · San Francisco

Periodontal treatment in San Francisco.

Bleeding gums, chronic bad breath, and bone loss are not 'just how it goes.' We treat gum disease at every stage — from early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis maintenance — with calm, evidence-based therapy in our Jackson Square office.

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What we treat

Conditions we address.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common — and most under-diagnosed — conditions in adult dentistry. These are the presentations we see most often, and the ones we are most equipped to help with.

01

Gingivitis

Bleeding when you brush or floss, puffy or red gums, mild tenderness. The earliest reversible stage of gum disease — caught here, it can be fully reversed with a professional cleaning and improved home care.

02

Mild-to-moderate periodontitis

Once bone loss has begun and pocket depths exceed 4 millimeters, you have moved into periodontitis. Non-surgical scaling and root planing is the foundation of treatment.

03

Advanced periodontitis

Deeper pockets, visible recession, mobile teeth. We can stabilize many advanced cases with intensive therapy and maintenance; truly severe cases get a co-treatment plan with a periodontist.

04

Chronic bad breath (halitosis)

Persistent bad breath that brushing does not fix is almost always coming from bacterial colonies under the gum line. Periodontal therapy targets the root cause.

05

Receding gums

Gum recession exposes root surfaces, increases sensitivity, and looks unhealthy. We diagnose whether yours is from periodontal disease, aggressive brushing, or grinding — and treat accordingly.

06

Implant-related gum disease (peri-implantitis)

Implants can develop their own form of gum disease. We screen for it at every cleaning and intervene early if pockets begin forming around an implant.

How we treat it

Treatment options at UNO.

Most periodontal disease is managed without surgery. Our protocol starts conservatively — measure, clean, monitor — and only escalates when the evidence calls for it.

Comprehensive periodontal exam

Six-point pocket depth charting on every tooth, bleeding-on-probing assessment, recession measurement, and full-mouth X-rays. This is what gives us a real diagnosis instead of a guess.

Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)

Non-surgical removal of tartar and bacterial film from below the gum line, performed under local anesthesia, usually one side of the mouth per visit. The foundation of nearly every periodontitis treatment plan.

Locally-delivered antibiotics (Arestin)

For specific deep pockets that do not fully heal after scaling and root planing, we can place Arestin — a slow-release antibiotic — directly into the pocket to give the tissue a better chance of recovering.

Periodontal maintenance

After active treatment, periodontal maintenance cleanings every three to four months keep the disease in remission. We are vigilant about scheduling these — skipping them is the most common reason gum disease returns.

Why UNO

Why patients choose UNO for gum care.

Periodontal disease is a long game. The right provider is one who measures honestly, treats conservatively, and keeps you on a maintenance schedule that actually works — for years.

Jackson Square location

Our office sits at 498 Jackson Street in San Francisco's Financial District — a quick walk from Embarcadero BART, North Beach, and the Ferry Building. Validated parking is available a block away.

Doctor-led care

Dr. Amjad Kandar (lead clinician, dual DDS) personally oversees every treatment plan. Independently owned — you see the same dentist, every visit.

Modern technology

Digital X-rays at a fraction of conventional radiation, intraoral scanning instead of goopy impressions, and next-day crown restorations when appropriate — comfort and precision built in.

Honest, conservative care

We do not over-treat. If a condition can be monitored, we monitor it. If you need a second opinion before committing to anything, we will say so out loud.

Common questions

Frequently asked.

A few of the questions we hear most often. If yours is not here, reach out — we are happy to talk before you book.

For ongoing prevention after treatment, see our preventive dentistry page. The early stage — gingivitis — usually shows up as gums that bleed when you brush or floss, look red or puffy, or feel tender. The later stage — periodontitis — adds chronic bad breath, gum recession, looseness in once-solid teeth, and pus around the gum line. The most reliable way to know is a periodontal exam: we measure the depth of the pocket around each tooth and compare it to the healthy baseline.

Gingivitis is fully reversible with a thorough cleaning and improved home care. Periodontitis — once bone has been lost around the teeth — cannot be reversed, but it can absolutely be stabilized so it does not progress further. The earlier we catch it, the more options you have.

Often called a 'deep cleaning,' scaling and root planing is a non-surgical periodontal therapy. We numb the area, then carefully remove the hardened tartar and bacterial film from below the gum line, and smooth the root surfaces so the gums can reattach. Usually done in two visits, one side of the mouth at a time.

We use local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the cleaning itself. Some patients find the area slightly tender for a day or two afterward and have temporary cold sensitivity at the gum line as the tissue heals. Over-the-counter pain relievers and a desensitizing toothpaste cover most of it.

Once you have been treated for periodontitis, the bacteria that drive the disease repopulate the gum pockets in roughly 90 days. Standard six-month cleanings do not keep up. A three- or four-month periodontal maintenance interval is what the research supports for keeping the disease in remission.

Yes — strong evidence connects periodontal disease to cardiovascular disease, diabetes management, pregnancy outcomes, and even certain dementias. The chronic inflammation and bacteria from infected gums do not stay in the mouth. Treating gum disease is genuinely part of taking care of your overall health, not just your smile.

Save your smile.

New patients welcome — start with our new patient guide. If your gums bleed, your breath has changed, or it has been more than a year since your last full periodontal exam, book a visit. We will tell you exactly where you stand and what — if anything — to do about it.

Book Online Call 415-397-2804

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Process

How treatment progresses.

No. 01

Comprehensive periodontal exam

Six-point pocket depth charting on every tooth, full mouth X-rays, recession measurement, and bleeding assessment. This 60-minute visit gives us a real diagnosis — staging, grading, and a tailored plan — instead of a guess.

No. 02

Active therapy

Scaling and root planing under local anesthesia, usually two visits (one per side). For specific resistant pockets we may add Arestin (slow-release antibiotic) or laser-assisted decontamination. Most patients see measurable pocket reduction at the 6-week re-eval.

No. 03

Maintenance & monitoring

After active therapy, periodontal maintenance cleanings every 3–4 months keep the disease in remission. We re-chart at every visit, screen for new bleeding sites, and adjust home care if anything shifts.

Investment & Financing

Transparent pricing.

A comprehensive periodontal exam is $250 (free with first-visit free-cosmetic-consult promo). Scaling and root planing is typically $250–$400 per quadrant, with most cases needing two to four quadrants. Arestin placement is $75 per site. Periodontal maintenance cleanings run $200–$280, scheduled every 3–4 months.

Periodontal coverage is one of the most variable areas of dental insurance — most PPO plans cover SRP at 50–80%, and maintenance cleanings at the same level. We verify your specific benefits before treatment so you have an exact out-of-pocket estimate. HFD and CareCredit financing are available for larger plans.

Book Online → Call 415-397-2804