So here's my situation: I've seen an endodontist for unrelated root canal problem and in the meantime he mentioned my gums are inflamed and to take care of them. This endodontist, who took a 3D scan of my mouth, sent a report to the first dentist I saw, and the office of this dentist sent me a brochure that explains what perio is, and a treatment plan for it. I've never seen a specialist that diagnosed me with perio but in the treatment plan there's a consultation with the specialist, a treatment with said specialist for perio **which I'm still not diagnosed with** and some other things. The treatment plan is 2k and its scaring the hell out of me cause this went from *your gums are inflamed* to *we need to do an invasive and costly treatment*. None of this was disclosed to me at any appointment I went to, out of the blue i got this brochure and this price.

I feel very scared right now cause I wanna take care of myself but nobody's talking to me. I tried calling the endodontist for clarification but he didn't answer, he just told his receptionist to tell me it'd be best to a see a specialist. I'm not opposed to it, it's just that the office he sent the report to is including the consultation with a specialist in a 2k treatment plan I have to pay in half upfront. The receptionist at the original dentist was a little rude about all of this. In the meantime I look at my gums and I can tell i need to clean them and that they're tender and swollen, but that red patch has been there all my life and the pale spots I've always, had all around my tongue and cheeks too.

I don't wanna sound as if I'm trying to avoid doing what's right, I'm just confused. I dont feel comfortable paying a grand in advance for a treatment plan with a specialist that never saw me once.

Do they look THAT bad? Do I need to worry this much? I feel very lost and preoccupied right now. When answering please mind I'm incredibly stressed and exhausted- I've been on the phone all week and I'm all the more confused right now.

How bad is this?