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What is a Periodontist?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in gum disease and degeneration. The periodontist is considered to be a specialist because he or she trains for an additional two to three years after completing dental school, specifically in the recognition and treatment of diseases of the gum. Since it’s common for gum disease to occur, especially as we age, many people are referred to a periodontist if gum disease is detected.

About 75% of tooth loss is due to periodontal disease, formations of bacterial plaque that infect and begin to cause gum deterioration, loose teeth, receding gums, red or swollen gums, frequent bleeding of the gums, and spaces between the teeth. During normal check-ups with a family dentist, periodontal disease will usually be noticed. If you notice these symptoms in between dental check-ups, you can usually see your dentist and ask for a referral to a periodontist.

A periodontist can perform dental implants.
A periodontist can perform dental implants.

If periodontal disease has been caught early, there are many non-surgical ways to treat it. Most commonly a periodontist can employ dental scaling and root-planing during early onset periodontal disease. This involves removing plaque from roots of teeth, and smoothing the roots of the tooth to prevent additional growth of bacteria.

When periodontal disease is more advanced, the periodontist is trained in several surgical techniques, which can help restore the teeth. These include bone grafting to replace lost bone due to severe bacterial infection, crown lengthening, which can help restructure a tooth so that it better supports a crown, and tooth and gum contouring, which can help reshape teeth and gums affected by gum disease.

Signs of periodontal disease will usually be checked for during regular trips to the dentist.
Signs of periodontal disease will usually be checked for during regular trips to the dentist.

The periodontist is also skilled in performing dental implants, the new standard when a tooth is lost. In this procedure, a replacement for a lost tooth is surgically attached to the jaw and topped with a crown. Though this procedure is more expensive than bridges or false teeth, it tends to last longer and provide more comfort. There’s also no need to use adhesives since the tooth is permanently fixed in the mouth.

Periodontists are trained in several surgical procedures used to address gum disease.
Periodontists are trained in several surgical procedures used to address gum disease.

Since the periodontist is a specialist, his or her services may not always be covered by dental insurance to the same degree that more standard procedures are covered. In fact, some periodontal services are simply not covered, and some periodontists will not accept payments over time. Yet many a periodontist recognizes that gum disease is best addressed as early as possible, and would rather take payments from a patient so that he or she can be treated sooner. If you are concerned about cost, you may want to approach a few periodontists in your community to discuss payment options.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

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    • A periodontist can perform dental implants.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      A periodontist can perform dental implants.
    • Signs of periodontal disease will usually be checked for during regular trips to the dentist.
      By: djile
      Signs of periodontal disease will usually be checked for during regular trips to the dentist.
    • Periodontists are trained in several surgical procedures used to address gum disease.
      By: Vladimir Melnik
      Periodontists are trained in several surgical procedures used to address gum disease.
    • A diligent oral hygiene regimen may help prevent gingivitis and other gum diseases.
      By: CandyBox Images
      A diligent oral hygiene regimen may help prevent gingivitis and other gum diseases.
    • A periodontist will be able to treat both teeth and gums.
      By: vetkit
      A periodontist will be able to treat both teeth and gums.
    • A periodontist is skilled in performing implants when tooth loss occurs.
      By: Igor Gromoff
      A periodontist is skilled in performing implants when tooth loss occurs.
    • Periodontal disease may cause swollen and bleeding gums.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Periodontal disease may cause swollen and bleeding gums.
    • A periodontist may prescribe medicated mouthwash to treat gum disease.
      By: theartofphoto
      A periodontist may prescribe medicated mouthwash to treat gum disease.