What does a Periodontist Do?
Periodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the gums and other tooth-supporting tissues. While most general dentists are trained to diagnose and treat minor periodontal disease (gum disease), more complex or severe cases are referred to a periodontist with extra training and experience in periodontics treatments.
What exactly is a periodontist?
Periodontists are dental professionals who specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum diseases and placing dental implants. Periodontists undergo an additional three years of study and training beyond an essential dentistry degree, allowing them to detect underlying issues and provide a variety of successful treatments. Our Periodontists have extensive training and experience.
What is the role of a periodontist in the treatment of gum disease?
Treatment for minor to moderate gum disease begins with less invasive, non-surgical procedures, including scaling and root planing, which involves using specialized hand tools to deep-clean the surfaces of the teeth below the gum line.
Minor gum surgery may be required to repair loose "pockets" if periodontal disease has progressed to the point that gum tissue no longer fits snugly against the teeth. During a pocket reduction operation, a periodontist will open a small flap in the gums to remove sick tissue and allow the healthier gum tissue to naturally reattach to the teeth. A laser could be used to "tighten up" the loose pockets as a less invasive alternative.
Advanced gum disease can erode jaw bone and severely damage supporting tissues, leading to tooth loss if left untreated. Regenerative techniques, including bone grafts, gum grafts, and treatments that stimulate tissue growth, can assist periodontists in stopping or even reversing the deterioration in rare circumstances.
More Periodontics Procedures
Periodontists specialize in treating gum disease, but they also treat various other periodontal issues. Periodontics also includes the following procedures:
Gum grafting is a procedure to address receding gums
This procedure covers exposed roots to treat receding gums, reducing sensitivity, protecting teeth from decay, and maybe preventing further recession.
Surgery to lengthen Your Teeth for a Fuller Smile
Excess gum and possibly bone tissue are reshaped to modify the appearance of a "gummy" smile or establish a healthy space between the teeth, gums, and bone.
Dental implants replace missing teeth.
A sturdy, natural-looking prosthetic tooth is secured into the jawbone to replace lost, decaying, or broken teeth.
What Are the Benefits of Visiting a Periodontist?
The keys to maintaining good dental health include daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to a general dentist for complete cleaning and exam. Still, it only takes a small amount of plaque and tartar to cause gum disease. Patients with severe or complex gum disease will be referred to a periodontist, who will treat the illness and prevent it from returning. Excess gums, receding gums, and missing teeth are all conditions that can be treated with periodontal plastic surgery.
Periodontists treat a wide range of dental problems and treatments. Still, they all have the same goal: to restore diseased gum tissue to health, improve the appearance and function of your smile, and assist you in maintaining good oral health so you can keep your natural teeth for as long as possible.
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