What is a Periodontist?While many people think of the word ‘dentist’ as a catch-all term for an expert who specializes in oral health, there are many different fields of dentistry that people specialize in. Orthodontists specialize in braces, technicians specialize in crafting prosthetics, and periodontists specialize in gum disease and implantology. Depending on your needs, you will likely need a specialist in a certain field of study to best find a solution to any oral health issues you may be having. Here at Blue Periodontics, our diverse team of specialists is here to cater to our patients’ various needs. If you have periodontitis (gum disease) or require prosthetic implants, then you may want to receive care from a periodontist. This article will discuss what exactly a periodontist is and why a periodontist might be the best specialist to provide treatment for you. What is a periodontist?A periodontist is a trained dental health professional who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease as well as dental implants. Your general dentist is likely to refer you to a periodontist if you have issues in any of these areas. If you are unsure if you should visit a periodontist, simply ask one of our team members for guidance and they will tell you if this is a smart choice. In addition to the four years of dental school required to enter dentistry, periodontists receive three more years of schooling to learn about gum disease and implantology. They are better equipped to handle the various challenges that coincide with these specific areas of study. What are the advantages of a periodontist?While some dentists may be able to perform general cleanings to treat gum disease in its early stages, only a periodontist is equipped with the skillset to treat those who suffer from the advanced stages of periodontitis. In the later stages of periodontitis, surgical intervention is sometimes required to resolve the issue. Tartar buildups that are deposited deep in the gums cannot be removed by simple cleaning alone. Sometimes incisions must be made so that the gums can be folded back, allowing access to these buildups. If the gum disease has progressed far enough that the nearby tooth has to be extracted, then you will require a periodontist to install the implant. A periodontist will also develop a unique treatment plan that is best suited to each patient, ensuring customized and attentive care. Periodontists also specialize in other surgical fields that are needed to properly fight gum disease. Techniques like scaling and planing, pocket reduction surgery and gum contouring/grafting are all areas that a periodontist is trained in. While some of these issues may just be cosmetic ones, many of them are health-related and need the proper care to prevent further damage to the teeth and gums. Only an expert can perform these operations with the right results and general dentists simply are not trained to perform these procedures. You should always make regularly scheduled appointments with one of our dentists to make sure that your dental health is on the right track. However, in certain cases, you may need to visit a specialist who is better suited to treating severe gum disease and installing implants. If you are unsure on whether or not a periodontist is the right specialist for you, call Blue Periodontics at (970) 678-3473 to schedule an appointment today and get a professional opinion. |
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