What exactly is a periodontist?
You may have been to your local dentist recently and the dentist may have told you that you may have to see a periodontist. So what does this mean and what does a periodontist do? What this means is that the dentist has identified the onset of either gingivitis or periodontitus and has decided that it is best to refer you to a periodontist. If you are unsure about the periodontist that he is referring you to and would like to learn more about periodontal surgery and would like to visit a periodontist based of your own choice then the information contained here is solely for your education. Neil Finn, DDS is the periodontist at Alway Smile Dental in Brooklyn.
What is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a specilaized dentist who has undertaken extensive training in a branch of dentistry known as periodontics. A periodontist will specializes in any dental or gum issues that the patient might have to do with periodontal disease. A periodontist, like an oral surgeon can also place dental implants. Unfortunately periodontal disease has become a common problem for many patients and the resulting condition which causes a patients gums to become irritated and inflamed is known as gingivitis. When the disease has progressed to the point where it is severe this is known as periodontitus.
Periodontal disease is a serious condition because if it is not treated then it will become unsightly and painful as well as embarrassing. If a patient does not get this treated in time it can cause the patient’s teeth to become loose and eventually and over time these teeth may fall out
In dentistry Periodontists are the dental experts that can prevent, diagnose and treat the incidence of periodontal disease. In severe cases when a patient has lost their teeth due to periodontal disease or any other reason then the periodontist will offer dental implant options for the patient and will be able to handle every step of the dental implant process.
Does a periodontist receive special training.
All periodontists receive the same training as all dentists as you have to be a dentist first before you specilaize in periodontics. It will take three years to become a periodontist and to be able to competent in treating gums and periodontal disease.
What procedures can a periodontist perform?
Periodontal Disease Diagnosis
Treatment of Gingivitis
Treatment of Periodontitis
Implants Replacement of indivdual teeth
Implant Replacement of multiple teeth
Extraction Socket Grafting (Socket Regeneration)
Sinus Elevation
Stem Cell Banking
Gum Grafting
Scaling and Root Planing
Bone Grafting
Occlusal Therapy
Cosmetic Crown Lengthening
How do I know if I need to see a periodontist.
If your dentist has told you that you need to see a periodontist then do not ignore their advice. If you have periodontal issues and you ignore them then you will only make the problems worse over time. It is always best to see a periodontist immediately.
There are complicated links that have now been proven between periodontal health and a person’s overall health. Therefore , periodontists must receive comprehensive training focused on the deep links between oral health and a patients overall health.
Your periodontal exam will be an important step for you in understanding why your gums are in the condition that they are in. From here you must pay attention to any periodontal maintenance that the dentist asks you to perform in order to remedy the situation. Your dentist and your periontists with create a treatment plan and it will be important that you stick to this rigorously as it will correct the damage to your gums and improve your overall health.
Will I Need to See a Periodontist?
If you take your oral health seriously and avoid risk factors that lead to periodontal disease, it’s highly likely that you will never need to see a periodontist in your lifetime. Daily brushing and flossing are of course important, but proactive patients should also avoid smoking and take extra steps to care for gums if they have diabetes or regularly take medications. Patients should also seek out a professional as soon as they notice gums becoming inflamed or irritated
Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows periodontal disease is highly prevalent amongst the population of America. It estimates nearly half the population aged 30 or older has mild, moderate or sever periodontal disease, this figure increases to 70% of adults aged 65 or older. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the gums, the ligaments holding teeth in place, and the bone surrounding teeth. If it isn’t treated then it can lead to tooth loss. Numerous research studies have also linked periodontal disease to other common chronic inflammatory diseases which include diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Periodontal Disease Can Be Prevented
Even though periodontal disease affects so many people, there is no need for you to develop this condition, as it can be prevented through the correct professional dental care in our Brooklyn dental office center combined with a good home dental care regime. We can work with you, providing a fully customized treatment plan to deal with any periodontal disease, and to prevent it recurring in the future.
What Is Gingivitis?
Periodontal Gum Pockets
Gingivitis is the earliest form of gum disease when the gums first become infected with bacteria. At this stage there can be few if any symptoms and it’s often easy to think your gums are perfectly healthy. It is little wonder gum disease is sometimes called the silent disease.
The first signs of gingivitis can easily be detected at regular checkups as your dentist will carefully probe your gums to check for any signs of bacterial infection. Most of the population will develop some degree of gingivitis during their lifetime, and regular checkups are an easy way to make sure this condition is detected early in the day. Early detection is particularly important as gingivitis is completely curable. Some symptoms that may be present include:
- Noticing your gums have begun to bleed during brushing or flossing
- Your gums might feel sore or tender
- You may notice your gums and begin to look red or perhaps a little bit swollen
- You might develop bad breath that doesn’t seem to go away with regular brushing and flossing
These symptoms can be easy to ignore, but it is important not to.
Albert Malakov, DDS is a general and cosmetic dentist in Brooklyn at Always Smile Dental. Neil Finn, DDS is a periodontist in Manhattan and Brooklyn at Always Smile Dental. Always Smile Dental offers all forms of general and cosmetic dentistry including dental cleanings, dental crowns, invisalign, porcelain veneers, dental implants, dental bridges, periodonticsand teeth whitening.
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