What Is the Role of a Periodontist?

Jan 02, 2020

A periodontist is also a dentist specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease. They also specialize in placing dental implants and are the experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. Professionals in this field receive extensive training in these areas besides additional education for three years apart from dental school. They have also received training in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures and are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and offering periodontal treatment.

What Kind of Problems Are Periodontist’s Treating?

Periodontists are often treating complex periodontal cases among patients with severe gum disease or a medical history of a problematic variety. They can offer different types of treatment like scaling and root planing for cleaning the infected surface of the tooth root or root surface debridement to remove damaged tissue. Treating patients with severe problems with their gums by using a range of surgical procedures is also a specialty they are trained in. Additionally, they have also received training in the insertion, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.

How Does a Periodontist Determine the Treatment Needed by a Patient?

Despite general dentists in Alexandria also receiving the training needed to treat periodontal conditions in dental school, they often refer patients to a periodontist when he or she requires treatment for a complex condition.

During the first visit, the periodontist reviews the complete medical and dental history of the patient for evaluation. The periodontist will be making inquiries whether the patient is taking any medications or is being treated for any other condition that may affect periodontal care and want to know whether the patient is suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or pregnancy.

The periodontist will also examine the gums and cheeks to determine if there is any recession in the gum line and assess how the teeth fit together when biting and examine the teeth to check if any of them have loosened. They will be using tiny instruments for measuring the depth of any spaces in the gums to assess the kind of periodontal pockets that may have formed because of periodontal disease. It helps them to determine the health of the gums. They may also take x-rays to observe the health of the bone below the gum line.

What Do Periodontists Recommend Regularly?

Periodontists are regularly recommending that periodontal disease is entirely preventable by maintaining proper oral hygiene which includes brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist for cleanings and checkups. Periodontal conditions in the early stages of known as gingivitis and can easily be identified by a dentist to prevent it from progressing into the condition of periodontal disease.

Research conducted suggests a link between periodontal disease and other chronic conditions which affect people with aging and periodontal treatment necessitates a better understanding and a higher level of expertise by a trained specialist. Patients that are displaying modest or stubborn cases of periodontal disease or have a complicated condition can be better endured by a cooperation between the dentist and the periodontist.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is also known as gum disease and is caused when bacteria in the plaque build up between the teeth and gums. As the bacteria begin to multiply the gums surrounding the tooth become inflamed. When left untreated the inflammation causes the gums and supporting bone structure to deteriorate leading to gum recession and tooth loss. Fortunately, the condition is entirely preventable as long as patients are willing to incorporate certain habits into their daily routines.

Patients are recommended to brush their teeth after every meal to remove plaque and food debris trapped between their teeth and gums. The tongue must also receive attention because bacteria love to build upon the tongue.

Flossing after brushing is also a requirement to remove food particles and plaque between the teeth and along the gum line. This is a requirement because some places in the mouth cannot be accessed by a toothbrush.

Swishing with mouthwash will also help to reduce the plaque and remove any remaining food particles missed by brushing and flossing.

Understanding the risks of developing a periodontal disease such as the age of the patient, diet, genetics, and smoking can only indicate whether patients are at higher jeopardy of this condition. Remaining in contact with a dental professional is suggested for patients that consider themselves at a higher risk. Getting an annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation is also recommended as the periodontist can determine whether the patient and the risk factors will contribute to periodontal disease.

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