What is a periodontist?

A dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease is known as a periodontist. These specialists focus their attention on the soft tissues of the mouth, along with the jawbone. To obtain a certificate in periodontics, you must complete a three-year periodontal residency program after graduating from an accredited dental school. During the three-year program, residents will be trained in how to place dental implants, along with surgical and non-surgical treatment plans for periodontal disease.

What Conditions Does a Periodontist Treat?

The most common conditions treated by a periodontist are as follows:

• Gingivitis causes the gums to become mildly inflamed and may be accompanied by pain or bleeding of the gums.
• Mild/moderate periodontitis occurs when the pockets between the measure between 4mm and 6mm. This stage is also commonly referred to as gum disease.
• Advanced periodontitis occurs when pockets between the soft tissue and teeth exceed 6mm in depth. This can cause significant bone loss and may result in the loss of teeth.
• Missing teeth are the result of a significant bone loss.

What Treatments Are Offered by a Periodontist?

The most common treatments offered by a periodontist are as follows:

• Bone grafting is necessary when there isn’t enough bone to properly secure dental implants.
• Deep pocket cleanings are necessary to remove debris and infection-causing bacteria in certain cases of periodontal disease.
• Gingivoplasty is done to remove tissues and straighten the gum line to help the teeth appear evener.
• Osteoplasty is the process of re-contouring the hard tissue to make the smile appear more aesthetically pleasing.
• Implants are anchored into the jawbone and used to replace missing teeth.

Questions or concerns regarding your oral health? Contact the office of Dr. Brian Gurinsky to schedule your appointment!

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