What is a Periodontist?

The dental sciences are far more complicated than most of us realize. After completing the initial four-year undergraduate dental program, the student can then choose to spend an addition three years gaining further education in a specialty. Periodontics is one of nine recognized specialties. A periodontist port huron, mi specializes in the soft gum tissues and hard supporting tissues of the teeth in your mouth. They most often help you with the prevention of gum disease or the treatment of the disease. They work extensively in diagnosing the disease and any oral inflammation. Most periodontists also are trained to surgically place dental implants and perform a procedure called crown lengthening. Let us look at these specialties.

Gum Disease or Periodontal Disease

Around 47% of American adults over the age of 30 have some level or stage of gum disease. With that many people you can see the need for periodontists. Although there are various causes for gum disease, the single -largest is simple neglect, or bad habits at home. The health industry strongly suggests we brush for two minutes twice a day. When you do not a clear sticky substance immediately forms on the teeth carrying millions of bacteria. The sugar and acids in the plaque attack the tooth resulting in decay and cavities. When the bacteria reach the soft tissue of the gums the result is an immediate infection. In the early initial stage, the disease is called gingivitis which can be quickly reversed with a very deep teeth cleaning. The periodontist will use a handheld tool to scale down the roots to scrape the plaque off the root. Therapy combined with oral antibiotics will help the tissue return to normal in a few days. If the disease progresses into periodontitis the intensity of the scaling and deep root planing is far more severe and may include some surgery. Dealing with this disease and the multitude of variations is what the periodontist is trained for.

Crown lengthening

When you smile you wish to see a balance of teeth and gums. If you see more gums than teeth or your teeth seem small compared to your gums this situation is called a gummy smile.  The periodontist can remove some of your gums with a surgical scalpel or laser to expose more of your tooth. When healed the proportions have been normalized. This is also a quite common and simple procedure.

Dental Implants

If you have a tooth extracted or have lost a tooth in an accident it leaves an obvious gap. If you do not fill this space the neighboring teeth will drift into that space affecting your bite pattern. You can choose a dental bridge or the new gold standard for a tooth replacement, a dental implant. Going through the gum to the jawbone the procedure takes several steps and a completed implant will look just like and act like a natural tooth.

Your Family Dentist and Your Periodontist

Many times, your family dentist will deal with your gum disease. Sometimes they might include a periodontist depending on the severity of your disease. In most any city you will find general dentists and periodontists have good strong working relationships. They share the concern of your healthy smile.

More on Periodontics : More About Periodontology