Not a pain thing. Most patients are nervous about surgery before they come. Dr. Hulgan's team walks you through every step before anything happens — and IV sedation is available so you feel nothing.
Not a guessing-game thing. You'll know exactly what treatment is recommended, why, how long it takes, and what it costs — before you agree to anything. No pressure. No surprise billing.
Not a "lose your teeth" thing. Most gum disease is treatable, even at advanced stages. Most patients keep all their teeth. You're here early enough — that's why your dentist sent you now.
Referring dentists: We send a full written report after every patient visit. Your patient returns to you. Your relationship is protected.
Being referred to a specialist can feel alarming. Most patients go home and start searching — and what comes up is scary. Bone loss, surgery, tooth loss. It's normal to feel anxious.
The fact that your dentist referred you means they caught it early enough to act. Many patients are treated with a deep cleaning — no surgery, no sedation, just a thorough cleaning done in one or two visits. Surgery is reserved for cases where that isn't enough.
At your first visit, Dr. Hulgan does a full evaluation and explains your diagnosis, your options, the timeline, and the cost — clearly. Nothing is scheduled until you understand the plan and agree to it. You are never pressured.
When you refer to Southern Periodontics, your patient relationship is never at risk. We treat periodontic conditions and send them back — with a full written report that covers every finding, every recommendation, and every next step.
Dr. Hulgan coordinates directly with restorative dentists and prosthodontists throughout treatment, especially in implant cases where the prosthetic outcome drives every surgical decision. You are never left in the dark about what we're doing or why.
"The periodontist's job is to prepare the foundation. The restorative dentist builds on it. That only works when both doctors talk to each other."
Worried about turnaround time? Most referred patients are seen within 5–7 business days. Urgent cases are accommodated faster. You'll receive a written clinical report within 48 hours of their visit — no chasing, no following up.
Three steps. No friction.
Credentials matter — but only if you understand what they mean in the chair. Here's what Dr. Hulgan's training translates to in practice.
After dental school, Dr. Hulgan completed a 3-year surgical residency focused entirely on gum disease, bone grafting, and implant placement. Your general dentist is excellent — but this is what Dr. Hulgan does all day, every day. That's a different level of precision.
Most patients who are anxious about periodontal surgery choose IV sedation. You're comfortable from the moment it starts — you won't feel anything, and many patients report it went faster than they expected. Recovery is typically 1–3 days of mild soreness.
Some periodontal issues need surgery. Many don't. Dr. Hulgan starts with the least invasive approach that can work — and never recommends surgery unless non-surgical treatment has been genuinely exhausted or clearly won't be sufficient. You'll always know why.
Periodontics is the specialty dedicated to the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place — and to the surgical placement of dental implants when teeth are lost. It's a different discipline than general dentistry, and it requires a different level of training.
Dr. Hulgan's residency included advanced bone grafting, IV sedation, and extensive time coordinating implant cases alongside restorative dentists and prosthodontists. He understands what the final prosthetic needs before placing any implant.
"You don't build the foundation without knowing what sits on top of it. Every implant I place starts with the final result in mind."
All materials used at Southern Periodontics are the highest quality available. Dr. Hulgan uses only what he would use on himself — or on family.
Treatment depends entirely on your diagnosis. Many patients start with deep cleaning — no surgery. Surgery is only recommended when non-surgical treatment can't achieve the result needed. Dr. Hulgan explains the reasoning behind every recommendation before anything is scheduled.
Non-surgical therapy is the first line of treatment for most patients. Many people referred to a periodontist never need surgery — they need a thorough deep cleaning and ongoing maintenance.
A thorough deep cleaning performed below the gumline — removing the bacteria and deposits that cause bone loss. For many patients, this is the only treatment needed. It's typically done in two visits (one side of the mouth at a time) with local anesthesia so you don't feel it.
Localized antibiotics — a chip or powder placed directly into a periodontal pocket — used as adjunctive therapy after scaling when certain pockets haven't fully responded. These are always used alongside bacterial deposit removal, never as a standalone alternative to cleaning.
Surgical therapy is recommended when non-surgical treatment can't fully access the areas causing bone loss. Dr. Hulgan explains exactly why surgery is needed before it's ever scheduled — and IV sedation is available for all procedures.
Allows Dr. Hulgan to directly access and clean root surfaces that can't be reached with a deep cleaning alone. The gum tissue is folded back, deposits removed, and bone reshaped — then the tissue is sutured closed. IV sedation available. Most patients experience mild soreness for 2–3 days.
Uses bone grafts and growth factors to help the body regenerate lost bone support around teeth. In many cases this can reverse bone loss that would otherwise lead to tooth extraction — saving teeth that seemed unsalvageable. One of the most impactful procedures in periodontics.
Addresses the physical anatomy of the tooth root itself — the microscopic grooves and channels that harbor bacteria and make cleaning almost impossible. The result is a smooth root surface you can actually maintain at home, dramatically reducing the risk of the disease returning.
Dental implants are the most permanent solution for missing teeth. Dr. Hulgan places implants with the final prosthetic result in mind from day one — working in close coordination with your restorative dentist so the foundation matches what gets built on it.
The titanium implant post is placed surgically into the jawbone. IV sedation is available. After placement, a healing period of 3–6 months allows the implant to fuse with the bone before the crown is attached by your restorative dentist. Dr. Hulgan handles the surgical phase — you return to your regular dentist for the crown.
When bone has been lost — from gum disease, extraction, or trauma — a bone graft rebuilds the foundation needed for a stable implant. Without sufficient bone, implants fail. Dr. Hulgan uses advanced grafting materials to regenerate bone volume before or at the time of implant placement.
"I was genuinely scared when my dentist told me I needed to see a periodontist. Dr. Hulgan took time to explain everything before scheduling a single appointment. The surgery itself was nothing like I feared — I was comfortable the whole time. Recovery was two days of soreness. I wish I hadn't waited."
"Highly skilled surgeon, excellent communication with referring dentists, and excellent bedside manner with patients. Highly recommend Dr. Hulgan."
"I had no idea what getting an implant involved. They walked me through everything — the cost, the timeline, what recovery would feel like. No surprises. I was back to work the next day. The whole office made a stressful thing feel normal."
"I convinced myself I was going to need surgery and lose a tooth. I was so relieved when Dr. Hulgan told me a deep cleaning was all I needed. He was honest about where things stood and what to watch. That transparency meant everything."
Most people referred to a periodontist have the same questions. Here's what you actually need to know before your first visit.
Not during the procedure. Local anesthesia is used for all surgical and deep-cleaning work — you won't feel anything while it's happening. IV sedation is also available if you want to be completely relaxed and unaware. After surgery, most patients experience 1–3 days of mild soreness that responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers. We give you specific post-op instructions so you know exactly what to expect.
Not necessarily. Many patients referred to a periodontist only need a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing). Surgery is only recommended when non-surgical treatment can't fully address the problem — meaning when pockets are too deep to clean from the outside, or bone loss is severe enough that access surgery is required. Dr. Hulgan will evaluate your specific situation and explain what he recommends and why before anything is scheduled.
IV sedation puts you in a deeply relaxed state — you're conscious but won't feel anxiety, won't feel pain, and won't remember most of the procedure. It's not required, but it's available for any surgical procedure if you prefer. Most patients who use it say it made the experience much easier than they expected. You'll need a driver to take you home if you choose sedation.
Most patients keep all their teeth. Gum disease — even when it's been present for years — is treatable in the vast majority of cases. The most important factor is getting an evaluation while there's still enough bone and tissue to work with, which is exactly why your dentist referred you now. In cases where a tooth can't be saved, Dr. Hulgan will tell you honestly and discuss implant options.
Periodontal disease can recur if you return to habits that caused it — but with proper maintenance it's highly controllable. After treatment, most patients move to a 3–4 month maintenance schedule instead of a standard 6-month cleaning. This more frequent schedule catches any early recurrence before it becomes a problem. We'll set you up with a long-term plan before you leave.
Cost depends entirely on what treatment you need — which we determine at your first evaluation. We will not quote you a cost until we know what's actually required. What we will do: give you a full, clear cost breakdown before anything is scheduled, work through your insurance with you to understand what's covered, and never add fees that weren't discussed. No surprise billing, ever.
Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal treatment, including deep cleanings and often surgery — though the exact coverage varies by plan. We work with most major dental insurance carriers and will verify your benefits before your first visit so you know what to expect. Our team handles the insurance side of things so you don't have to figure it out yourself.
No. Dr. Hulgan recommends the least invasive treatment that can actually solve the problem. If a deep cleaning is sufficient, that's what gets recommended — not surgery. Every recommendation comes with an explanation. You are never obligated to proceed with anything after an evaluation, and nothing is scheduled without your full understanding and agreement.
It depends on what's needed. A deep cleaning typically takes 2 visits — one per side of the mouth — each about 60–90 minutes. If surgery is required, it's usually one surgical appointment of 1–2 hours, followed by a suture removal appointment about 2 weeks later. Implants involve a surgical placement visit, then a healing period of 3–6 months before your restorative dentist attaches the crown. Dr. Hulgan will walk through the full timeline at your evaluation.
Most referred patients are scheduled within 5–7 business days. If your situation is urgent, we make accommodations to get you in faster. Call the Birmingham or Gadsden office directly and let us know — we'll take it from there.
Both. We handle the periodontal treatment — gum disease, surgery, implant placement. Your regular dentist handles everything else: cleanings, fillings, crowns, checkups. After your periodontal treatment is complete, we coordinate with your dentist so they know exactly where things stand. For ongoing periodontal maintenance (every 3–4 months), that may be split between our office and your regular dentist depending on your situation.
300 Medical Center Drive
Suite 502, Gadsden, AL 35903