Periodontics Specialist

What is periodontics?

Periodontics is a field of dentistry concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases related to the tissues surrounding and supporting your teeth.

Examples of diseases that periodontists address include:

• Gingivitis
• Periodontal disease (periodontitis)
• Peri-implant mucositis
• Peri-implantitis 

They also treat subgroups of periodontal disease, including aggressive periodontitis, chronic periodontitis, and necrotizing periodontal disease. 

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is the main form of gum disease. With gum disease, plaque inflames your gums and, if left untreated, eventually destroys your teeth and gums.

Periodontal disease is preventable. If you regularly brush, floss, use mouthwash, and schedule visits to Gentle Touch PC for deep cleaning, you can keep it at bay.

How often should I see my periodontist?

You should visit the practice for periodontics once a year. During your visit, the practice performs a comprehensive periodontal evaluation (CPE). They evaluate your periodontal health by looking for:

• Loose teeth
• Recessed gum lines

They also evaluate your bite, bone structure, plaque levels, and risk factors.

How do you treat gum disease?

Early gum disease

If the practice finds any signs of early gum disease, they treat it by simply cleaning your teeth and removing plaque.

Moderate to advanced gum disease

To treat more advanced gum disease, your team cleans your teeth and teeth roots during a procedure called root planing. Their goal is to remove plaque and hardened plaque, called tartar.

They also perform a procedure called subgingival curettage, during which they use a blade to remove the inflamed layer of gum tissue.

Following these treatments, the practice may prescribe antibiotics to stop potential abscesses and infection.

Advanced gum disease with significant damage

If your gum disease is so advanced that it’s loosened your teeth and substantially destroyed your bone, the practice may extract your teeth or perform teeth splinting.

Why is periodontics important?

Periodontics is important because poor periodontal health is painful and can be very embarrassing.

Also, gum disease can be indicative of more serious health problems or hormonal changes. Without visiting the practice for periodontal treatment, you may not become aware of your health problems until they’ve advanced. 

In men, gum disease may be related to prostate inflammation, impotence, heart disease, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, or blood cancers.

In women, gum disease can be a sign of hormonal changes, such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and postmenopause.

Keep your mouth and teeth healthy by being proactive. To schedule your periodontics visit with Gentle Touch PC, call the practice or fill out the online booking tool today.