One alternative is to look for other causes. Even the best dentistry can restore a great deal of the normality that once was there for the patient. But not all of it. This may be hard to accept. The amount of stress a person is under is directly related to the patient's periodontal condition.
Tissues deteriorate upon stress, and then they improve as the stress is relieved.
No one ever mentioned stress before. I'm always stressed out just before gum surgery. This is terrible. Stop at the reception desk and Gertrude will take your full payment, today. On the other hand , there are few therapies more effective than a positive, encouraging comment to help patients deal with a situation for which they may carry much of the blame, and may not understand as well as a dentist.