What is a Periodontist?

Periodontology or periodontics is the specialty of dentistry that studies supporting structures of teeth, as well as diseases and conditions that affect them. The supporting tissues are known as the periodontium, which includes the gingiva, alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament.

Periodontist

It is the specialty of dentistry that diagnoses, prevents, and treats diseases of the gums Periodontology is the study of a specialized system of hard (bone) and soft tissue (gingiva) that supports the teeth and maintains its position in the maxilla and mandible (bones of the skull). This set of tissues is called periodontium and is composed of alveolar bone, root cement, periodontal ligament, and gingiva. The teeth are inside the alveolar bone and are supported by the periodontal ligament that joins the cement that covers the root of the tooth. These living tissues can adapt to different changes in the mouth that allow maintaining the position of the teeth in a stable manner.

The main function of the periodontium (gum tissues)

is to keep the teeth in their position inside the bone but also acts as a buffer during mastication preventing damage to the teeth when they receive excessive forces. The tissues and teeth act and work together to protect themselves and promote proper function during chewing. 

The oral state of a person can be a clear indication of their general health, in particular, the periodontal condition of their gums can show us much more than simply what happens at the level of periodontology. Systemic diseases (diabetes, smoking, HIV, …) can have a direct effect on the structures that support the teeth. Some pathologies can also be detected through the mouth before they are evident in any other part of the body. For this reason, periodontists (gum dentists) may be the first to detect signs of a general illness such as diabetes or blood disorders. The dental office or the periodontist can become a center for the early detection of diabetes.

Periodontists

are those dentists who specialize in the prevention and treatment of diseases that affect the periodontium. All dentists receive training in periodontology but a periodontist receives additional training specific to this field. Periodontists with specialist status have received postgraduate or master’s degrees in periodontology and dental implants during three academic courses and full-time. So it is common in daily practice that the most complicated cases are treated by specialists in this area of dentistry.

The periodontal diseases treated by periodontists are very common among the population and are a consequence of the inflammation of the periodontal (gum) tissues. Gingivitis is the inflammatory response of the gums due to the accumulation of bacteria in the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth. Gingivitis occurs at least once in life in all individuals. This response is a defense mechanism that the human body has to fight against pathogenic bacteria but can cause damage to the tissues if not treated correctly. The inflammation can extend into the gums and destroy the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone causing periodontitis. This causes a loss of support for the teeth and even teeth loss when the disease is in more advanced stages.

With proper advice and treatment from professionals, it is usually possible to completely stop the progression of periodontitis. The key is to eliminate bacterial plaque that accelerates the pathological process and establish excellent oral hygiene habits. Thus, the first step of a periodontal treatment consists in making the patient aware of his condition and giving oral hygiene instructions. In this first hygienic phase, it is very important to make sure that the patient adequately complies with their hygiene. On the other hand, the periodontist will perform hygienic procedures to eliminate calculus and bacterial plaque from areas that are not accessible to the patient. Sometimes antibiotic therapy can be given if the infection of the tissues persists and does not respond to hygienic measures.

After this first phase, the patient’s periodontal condition and hygiene are checked after a few weeks. The progress of the disease is checked and probing is carried out to check the depth of the bags. 

If some bags persist (space where bacteria have the ability to destroy gum and bone), more treatment options, including surgery, are offered. Sometimes it is necessary to perform a surgery lifting the gum to be able to access those areas where there is the calculation and to be able to clean it. This allows you to have a direct view and make sure that the area is completely clean. In other cases, it will be possible to perform regenerative surgeries in which the bone loss is treated and regenerated in order to try to give more correct anatomy to the bone defects created by periodontitis. In other cases it will not be possible to regenerate these defects and surgeries will be performed in which the bone is remodeled and if necessary the gum as well.

After this surgical phase, if necessary, a restorative phase will be carried out. It is at this time that implants, definitive prostheses, orthodontic treatment, or other treatment options appropriate to each individual situation can be placed. The implants may be placed when the periodontal treatment is completed.

Finally, the success of long-term periodontal therapy depends on oral hygiene by the patient and professional maintenance, and advice from professionals. It is important to perform this maintenance phase on a regular basis to check the state of the periodontal tissues and check that the inflammation is controlled. This way you can check the maintenance of the results obtained by periodontal treatment, prevent the recurrence of the disease, and early detection of the appearance of new periodontal lesions to be able to treat them and inform the patient of the hygienic measures that should be taken to avoid the recurrence of periodontal disease.

**What⁣ is a ⁣Periodontist?**



Periodontists are​ specialists in periodontology, the ​branch of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of‍ gum disease and related conditions affecting the supporting structures of the teeth. They receive additional training beyond dental school, typically completing three to four years of ⁣postgraduate‍ residency in periodontology.



**What Do Periodontists Do?**



Periodontists perform a variety of procedures to ⁢address ⁤gum disease and other periodontal health ⁤issues, including:



* **Deep cleaning and​ scaling:** Non-surgical removal of⁢ plaque and⁣ tartar below the gumline.

* **Gingivectomy ⁣or gingivoplasty:** Surgical methods to reshape or remove excess gum‍ tissue.

* **Bone grafting:** Replacement or regeneration of lost bone tissue in ​areas‍ affected by gum disease.

* **Dental‍ implants:** Placement of artificial tooth roots to support ⁤replacement teeth.

* **Regenerative therapy:** Procedures⁢ that stimulate the body’s natural healing ‌processes to‍ regrow bone⁢ and tissue lost‍ to gum disease.



**When Should You See ‌a Periodontist?**



Consult a ‍periodontist if you experience symptoms of gum disease, such ‌as:



* Bleeding gums

* Swelling or​ redness of the gums

* Receding gums

* Loose or shifting teeth

* Chronic bad breath

* Periodontal abscesses



Early diagnosis and treatment of gum ⁤disease can help preserve periodontal health, prevent tooth⁣ loss, and minimize the risk of other health complications.



**Related Keywords:**



* Periodontology

* Gum disease

* Periodontal treatment

* Deep cleaning

* Gingivectomy

* Gingivoplasty

* Bone‍ grafting

* Dental implants

* Regenerative ⁣therapy

* Periodontal abscess

* Bad breath