What Does A Periodontist Do?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the gum and bones that support the teeth.

This often includes providing regular cleaning, taking x-rays, and performing procedures such as scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums. Periodontists may also perform more complex procedures to improve the health of the gums and to support structures for the teeth.

Keep reading to learn more about what a periodontist does and periodontal maintenance.

What Procedures Does a Periodontist Perform?

To help improve the health of your gums and prevent or treat gum disease, there are a variety of procedures that a periodontist may perform. Some of these procedures are minor such as regular cleanings and checkups to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums. However, more in-depth procedures include:

• Scaling and root planing to remove bacteria and plaque from below the gum line. These are two different procedures, where scaling removes the unseen bacteria and planing smooths the surface of the tooth to prevent spaces where bacteria hide.
• Gum grafting to repair damaged or receding gums. When you have receding gums, the tooth root is often exposed, causing loss of bone support and increased sensitivity. Once the tissue is removed and the grafting covers the roots, the gum tissue regenerates and bonds teeth.
• Bone surgery to help regenerate lost bone tissue. If your bone structure needs to be reshaped to hold your teeth in place, a periodontist will perform osseous (bone) surgery. This allows the gaps that hold bacteria between gums and teeth to align and prevent them from forming further.
• Bone graft to prepare for a dental implant. A bone graft increases the thickness of the jawbone to support an implant. Once complete, the bone will grow within a few months so that an implant can be placed.
• Dental implants to replace missing teeth. This is a specialty for periodontists, where they place an artificial tooth and root system. The implanted root is surgically placed in the jawbone and fuses and anchors the bone so that a crown is attached on top.

In addition to the procedures, a periodontist also provides tooth extraction, if necessary, education and instruction on proper hygiene techniques to help prevent gum disease.

What is Periodontal Maintenance?

Periodontal maintenance is a type of dental care that is performed regularly to help prevent the progression of gum disease and maintain the health of the gums and surrounding tissue.

This type of care is recommended for individuals who have already been treated for gum disease and may include regular cleanings and checkups. The goal is to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums and to monitor your overall oral health to ensure gum disease does not progress.

This care is performed in conjunction with good oral hygiene habits at home, such as brushing and flossing regularly.

During an examination for periodontal maintenance, the periodontist will conduct a visual inspection to look for abnormal structures, cavities, gum and bone recession, and more. Dental cleaning will then take place to remove build-up on teeth.

Leading Edge Specialized Dentistry Proved Periodontal Maintenance

If you need advanced dental care for gum disease or problems with the structure of your teeth, a periodontist offers the specific treatment you need.

At Leading Edge Specialized Dentistry, we provide several periodontal services to help restore and maintain your dental health. Call  631-351-3444  or contact us today to learn more and schedule your appointment.