Benefits of Seeing a Periodontist

If you suffer from frequent gum infections, don’t hesitate to see a periodontist.

While a general dentist is an excellent choice for routine dental care, sometimes you may need extra help from a specialist. This may be the case if you suffer from frequent or severe bouts of gum disease, aka periodontitis.

A periodontist is a dentist that specializes in the treatment and prevention of gum disease and tooth loss. They have undergone 3 additional years of training after dental school to qualify them to provide this level of specialized service to their patients. Here are 3 main reasons you might want to see a periodontist rather than your regular dentist when you have a serious gum infection or tooth infection.

A Periodontist Provides Specialized Care for Gums

Brushing and flossing, along with routine dental cleanings, are very important for maintaining gum health. However, sometimes these efforts are not enough. If a gum disease infection takes hold, you may find that the pockets between your teeth and gums become inflamed to the point where you need special help. A periodontist can provide this help in the form of special deep cleaning for your teeth and gums. This procedure is called scaling and root planing. Typically, it is done in two or more stages to make sure teeth get cleaned really well beneath the gum line.

A Periodontist Can Help Prevent Tooth Loss

In cases where the infection below the gum line has actually irreparably damaged tissues in the gum pocket, a periodontist can provide a treatment called root surface debridement. While scaling and root planing simply cleans the tooth, this more invasive treatment actually removes damaged tissues to help control the spread of infection and promote healing. If this treatment is provided in time, it can prevent infection from taking hold inside the roots of the tooth and save you from the need for a root canal.

A Periodontist Can Replace Missing Teeth

If you have lost one or more teeth due to disease or trauma, a periodontist can help you replace them with dental implants. Periodontists have a detailed understanding of the relationship between tooth, gum, and jaw bone structure, making them an ideal choice for your dental implant surgery. Your periodontist may work with your regular dentist to help order the crowns or implant-supported denture that will fit on top of your new dental implants.