OLD STONY DENTAL

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the soft tissues of the mouth and the underlying jawbone which supports the teeth. In order to qualify as a periodontist, a dentist must first graduate from an accredited dental school before undertaking an additional three years of study within a periodontology residency training program.

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The primary focus of this residency training is in both surgical and non-surgical management of periodontal disease and the placement of dental implants.

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Conditions Treated by a Periodontist

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Periodontists are mainly concerned with preventing the onset of gum disease (periodontal disease); diagnosing conditions affecting the gums and jawbone; and treating gingivitis, periodontitis, and bone loss. Periodontal disease is a progressive condition and the leading cause of tooth loss among adults in the developed world.

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They are able to treat mild, moderate, and advanced gum disease by first addressing the bacterial infection at the root of the problem, providing periodontal treatment, and then providing information and education on good oral hygiene.

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The most common conditions treated by the periodontist are:

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• Gingivitis – This is the mild inflammation of the gums which may or may not be signified by pain and bleeding.

 

• Mild/moderate periodontitis – When the pockets between the teeth and the soft tissues are measured to be between 4-6mm, it is classified as moderate periodontitis (gum disease).

 

• Advanced periodontitis – When the pockets between the teeth and the soft tissues, in general, exceed 6mm in depth, significant bone loss may occur causing shifting or loss of teeth.

 

• Missing teeth – When teeth are missing as a result of bone loss, periodontists can implant prosthetic teeth. These teeth are anchored to the jawbone and restore functionality to the mouth.​

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Treatments Performed by a Periodontist

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A periodontist is able to perform a wide range of treatments to halt the progression of gum disease.

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Here are some of the treatments commonly performed by the periodontist:

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• Implant placement – When a tooth or several teeth are missing, a periodontist is able to create a natural-looking replacement by anchoring a prosthetic tooth to the jawbone.

 

• Osteoplasty (hard tissue recontouring) – Once periodontitis has been treated, a periodontist can recontour the hard tissue to make the smile both natural looking and aesthetically pleasing.

 

• Gingivoplasty (soft tissue recontouring) – As gums recede due to periodontitis, the teeth may appear longer causing a “toothy" smile. Periodontists can remove tissues or straighten the gum line to make the teeth look even.

 

• Bone grafting – Dental implants can only be positioned if there is sufficient bone to attach the prosthetic tooth to. If bone loss has occurred, bone grafting is an excellent way to add or “grow” bone so an implant may be properly secured.

 

• Deep pocket cleanings – As gingivitis and periodontitis progress, it becomes more difficult to cleanse the pockets between the soft tissues and the teeth. Periodontists can scale and root plane the teeth (sometimes under local anesthetic) to remove debris and infection-causing bacteria.

 

• Crown lengthening – In order to expose more of the natural tooth, a periodontist can remove some of the surrounding gingival tissue.​

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Periodontists are highly skilled dental health professionals who diagnose and treat many commonly occurring soft tissue and bone problems in the oral cavity.
 

Be sure to ask your periodontist if you have any questions or concerns.