You are most likely suffering from periodontal disease if your gums are bleeding. In the US, this gum disease affects more than half of citizens over 30. If your gums swell and bleed, they become infected with bacteria. Treatment is required to prevent the infection from spreading. If the infection grows, you may lose your teeth, and there is a danger that it will spread to other areas of your body.
What is Periodontics?
The specialty of dentistry is periodontics. The Greek words "peri" (meaning "around") and "odont" (meaning "tooth") are the origins of the term "periodontics." Therefore, periodontics deals with diseases like bone loss, gum recession, and periodontal disease that trigger the tissues that surround your teeth.
A periodontist is a dentist who is skilled in the prevention, detection, and treatment of gingivitis (a severe inflammatory medical condition affecting bone and gums holding the teeth, commonly called gum disease) and dental implant attachments.
Periodontal wellness, which covers the condition of the gums and jawbone that hold up teeth, is the main focus of periodontics. Maintaining periodontal health by maintaining proper dental hygiene and scheduling routine examinations is essential. Furthermore, there is a higher risk to the teeth and gums' long-term health.
What Does a Periodontist Do?
Were you ever curious about the responsibilities of a periodontist? If you want to maintain the best oral health, you must know the answer!
Did you notice there are significant differences between regular dentists and periodontists?
We'll go over those differences and when you might need to consult a periodontal dentist.
A periodontist is a dentist who focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. Throughout frequent dental examinations, they might help their patients protect gum disease from spreading by doing regular dental cleanings. A periodontist gets additional training that involves modern techniques and tools for diagnosing and treating gum disease.
A periodontist can recommend a periodontal appliance to prevent teeth from moving while receiving dental treatment. They are also experts in treating conditions affecting the soft tissues surrounding the teeth and the jawbone. Gum doctors may conduct surgeries like dental implants or bone grafts to cure gum disease or restore the overall look of your smile.
Additionally, periodontists provide guidance on maintaining proper oral hygiene practices. If you feel you have gum problems, you should consult an expert as soon as possible.
Difference between a dentist and a periodontist
A general dentist specializes in preventive and restorative dentistry. For example, if you require a usual dental cleaning, you visit your dentist. Along with placing restorations like dental crowns and bridges, a dentist also fixes cavities. In the United States, a general dentist must complete a 4-year dental school before becoming licensed to practice.
A periodontist is an expert in gum health. They specialize in managing disorders that impact the tissues that attach to your teeth (such as your gums and jawbone). After completing a 4-year dentistry program, a periodontist must complete three more years of education to obtain a license to practice periodontics in the United States.
Although your regular dentist handles gum infections with teeth cleaning, scaling, and root planing, a periodontist may treat more serious cases of periodontal disease.
Key Services Offered by a Periodontist
To treat gum disease or other conditions of the gums, periodontists can use a variety of techniques. Here are some periodontal services that are provided by periodontal dentists:
Scaling and Root Planing: Even though scaling and root planing are two different processes, they are frequently done at the same time. Scaling is the technique of cleaning the tooth areas below the gums of calculus, or gathered plaque. The next step after scaling is root planning. Root planing smoothes the external layer of the tooth root after plaque and calculus have been eliminated, minimizing altered and impacted root structure produced by bacterial endotoxins. Because there are no gaps between the gums and the tooth roots for germs to grow and cause gum infection, the gums can adapt and stick to the roots.
Osseous (bone) Surgery: The bone structure that supports your teeth in place may occasionally need to be reshaped by a periodontist. Your teeth are supported by the jawbone and ligaments. If there are holes or pockets in your gums and teeth, bacteria may penetrate and create an infection. Bone surgery can be used to restructure the bone and ligaments, preventing these pockets from developing.
Bone Graft: A bone grafting technique is occasionally performed while waiting for a dental implant. If the jawbone is too thin for holding an implant, a bone graft can help. When a tooth is lost or there is serious gum disease, the jaw bone weakens and eventually breaks down. A bone graft technique includes surgically implanting bone graft material beneath the gums on top of the natural bone. This strengthens the current jaw bone and stimulates its natural growth and regeneration. After this procedure is finished and the bone has had time to grow, a dental implant can be inserted.
Gum Graft: If the gums have grown excessively far away from the teeth, a gum graft treatment might be required. Gums that recede reveal the tooth root, which can lead to discomfort and an elimination of bone support. This technique includes taking tissue from another part of the mouth and putting it onto the roots of the teeth where gum tissue has receded. Gum tissue re-grows and forms a bond with teeth.
Dental Implant Placement: Periodontists are specialists in placing dental implants. While many regular dentists do such a procedure, a periodontist is trained specifically to insert dental implants. A prosthetic tooth and root system is called a dental implant. A titanium post known as the implant root is inserted through surgery into the jawbone. It combines with the bone, forming a firm bond. After the implant is secured to the bone, a crown is put on top of it. The complete dental implant resembles and acts like a natural tooth.
Why Choose a Periodontist?
Most people visit a periodontist for gum disease and dental implant procedures. However, you can get a periodontist's expertise in other areas: Tooth extraction is sometimes called tooth removal by periodontists. After tooth extraction, bone grafting is used to replace lost bone.
Patients who have problems with their gums, jawbone, or tooth loss are usually referred to a periodontist for a more particular method of medical care.
It is necessary that if you notice any symptoms, you must contact or visit our dental clinic immediately located in West Montreal, Canada to set up an appointment. Our Westminster Dental Center will be available to begin treatment that will help you cure periodontal disease and avoid future complications. Here are the top reasons why you need to choose a periodontist:
Comprehensive expertise in gum health | Periodontists are trained in the most recent techniques for treating gum disease in addition to general dentistry. This knowledge is essential for efficiently handling difficult patients and conducting intricate operations that regular dentists might not be competent to handle. |
Advanced treatment options | In addition to surgical periodontics, including flap surgery and soft tissue grafts, periodontists provide a variety of non-surgical treatments, including scaling and root planing (deep cleaning). They make use of modern technologies such as laser therapy and microscopic surgery, which can improve patient results and reduce pain. |
A focus on preventative care | Periodontal dentists focus on the need to take preventive steps to avoid the beginning or growth of periodontal disease. Regular examinations and cleanings at a periodontist's clinic can help detect signs early on, which may save patients time and energy, discomfort, and expenses in the long run. |
Customized dental implant solutions | Dental implants are the replacement that most closely resemble natural teeth, and periodontists are experts in placing them. Their extensive knowledge of oral anatomy helps them to design implant solutions that are both practical and stunning. |
Holistic approach to oral health | Periodontists understand the importance of healthy gums for general health. They carefully treat gum disease, which is associated with other chronic problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disorders, with their patients. |
Do I Need a Periodontist?
You should consult a periodontist if brushing and flossing cause bleeding gums. If you are suffering any of the more significant symptoms—loose or delicate teeth, uncomfortable chewing, and so on—you should schedule an appointment with a periodontal dentist right away.
Whatever your circumstances, modern dentistry offers methods to help you overcome gum disease and improve your dental health.
Periodontal disease will continue to worsen if treatment is not provided. This puts you in danger of tooth loss, costly periodontal surgery, and potentially harming your overall health. Periodontal disease has been associated with heart disease and a greater likelihood of stroke, according to the American Academy of Periodontology.
Conclusion
Taking care of your gums and oral health is essential for avoiding major issues such as gum disease, tooth loss, and even hazards to your general well-being. Periodontists are experts in identifying and treating gum disease, and they can provide advanced treatments to preserve and improve your dental health. Regular check-ups and timely treatment can help you keep your gums and teeth in good condition. If you observe symptoms of gum disease, don't hesitate to contact a periodontist for expert help in keeping your smile healthy and strong.
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