What does a Periodontist do?

A periodontist is a recognized dental specialist in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and in the placement of dental implants. Becoming a periodontist requires three additional years of education beyond dental school. This education comes in the form of a residency and not an accumulation of hours spent in weekend courses. Aside from procedures aimed at maintaining gum tissue health, Periodontists routinely perform cosmetic periodontal procedures such as tissue grafts and tissue reduction for gummy smile. General Dentists refer their patients to a periodontist when their periodontal status requires attention, for implant placement, and a host of other procedures and diagnosis.

Why don’t I feel any pain from my periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is often a chronic disease that is silent. Patients usually feel no pain despite the ongoing damage. Periodontal disease continuously destroys the underlying connection between teeth, gums and bone. As with cardiovascular disease, the focus is on prevention. Patients feeling pain from periodontal disease are often at a point where treatment options have become limited. Because of this, most therapy is aimed at arresting and preventing further disease.

Why have my gums receded?

Receding gums, or recession, results from ongoing periodontal disease or from overzealous brushing habits. There are many factors that can influence either cause of recession. In some cases recessed gums can be treated by the periodontist through tissue grafting and/or through behavioral therapy.

How do I know if I have Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is a diagnosis given after careful review of each particular patient. Often patients will exhibit signs and symptoms such as bleeding gums, recessed gums, bone loss surrounding teeth, loose teeth, missing teeth, and teeth crowding. These signs and symptoms are not a formula and the mere existence of any or all does not equal a diagnosis of disease. Your periodontist will be able to collect data and interpret each patients status for an accurate diagnosis.

What is the pocket measurement that my Dr. keeps mentioning?

Periodontal pockets are the tissue surrounding the teeth and covering the underlying bone. With the progression of disease, tissues surrounding the tooth become inflamed and begin to separate from the tooth. As these tissues separate they form deeper pockets, which harbor plaque and calculus. Deeper pockets are indicators of disease and are thus important for the doctor to record and analyze in order to gain an accurate understanding of the patients periodontal status.

Should I be concerned if my gums bleed?

Bleeding gums are one of the signs of inflammation and are one of the disease indicators for periodontal disease. Most patients who have bleeding gums notice this when brushing or flossing their teeth. The gums bleed because of inflammation, similar to an inflamed sore in other parts of the body that may bleed due to simple touch.

Are periodontal procedures painful?

Periodontal procedures are typically performed under local anesthesia injections. Patients are often managed post-operatively with over-the-counter-medications.

What is the difference between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?

Both gingivitis and periodontitis are diseases of the gums. The difference lies mainly in the effect the diseases have on the tissues. Gingivitis is a infection of the gums when permanent damage has not been done and where the anchorage of tooth within the tissue has not been lost. Periodontitis can be considered unchecked gingivitis that progressed to the point where damage to tooth anchorage has occurred. This loss of tooth anchorage is referred to by the periodontist as “attachment loss.”

What are the treatments for periodontal disease?

Depending on the degree and stage of disease treatments can vary greatly. After a comprehensive diagnosis, your periodontist may prescribe treatment ranging from a simple cleaning to surgery. Cleanings may take multiple appointments and recall visits to complete. Some cleanings can be done with the intention of preparing the patient for surgery. Surgeries to address periodontal disease take on many forms but all are designed to bring the patient to a maintenance stage. Implants may also be included in therapy to help restore a patient’s chewing capacity. Each periodontal procedure is different, for this reason it is important to talk directly with your periodontist.

Is there a connection between my general health and my periodontal health?

Intuitively patients understand that the mouth is not separate from the body and that infections in one part of the body can spread and affect other parts of the body. Research has shown that general health can be affected by periodontal health especially in areas such as heart disease, diabetes, pre-term birth, atherosclerosis, and kidney disease.

How do Dental Implants work?

Dental implants are titanium fixtures that form a mechanical anchorage within the bone and mimic the function of a tooth root. This process of anchorage is referred to as integration. The integration process requires time, as it is a biological process involving the host bone and the implant. After integration an artificial tooth is attached to the implant by a prosthodontist or general dentist.

How do I know if I can have Dental implants?

Many factors are involved in the determination of a patient’s ability to have implants placed. Factors such as systemic health, smoking habits, and overall oral health are all involved in the decision. Existence of periodontal disease or other oral pathosis usually require therapy before implant therapy can begin. X-rays, CT scans and study models are also considered routine in initial evaluation of patients for implant therapy.

Can I have dental implants if I am a smoker?

Smoking has been shown to interfere with the healing process throughout the mouth as well as with dental implants. Often smokers who wish to have implants therapy may have additional implants placed as a precaution in anticipation of failure of some of their implants.