Periodontics

Periodontists prevent, diagnose, and treat problems pertaining to the tissues that support and surround natural or prosthetic teeth – for example, the gums and jawbone. They also perform the surgery to place dental implants in the jawbone, as well as other cosmetic surgical procedures relating to gum and bone tissue.

You might visit a periodontist for the following:

• Alleviation of advanced gum disease; treatments include scaling, root planning, antibiotic therapy, and N2O for your comfort

• Bone regeneration, such as a bone graft to shore up jawbone mass in preparation for dental implants, or ridge augmentation to build up the jawbone under the socket of a missing tooth following tissue atrophy

• Soft-tissue grafts to remedy functional and esthetic problems with gum tissue and to eliminate sensitivity to heat and cold that can occur if a tooth root is exposed due to gum recession

• Crown lengthening to remove excess bone and gum tissue in advance of placing a substitute tooth

Periodontics is a dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). To attain certification in this specialized field, dentists must complete an additional 3 years of education in an ADA-approved program. Periodontists may apply for board certification from the American Board of Periodontology.

Click here to locate a periodontist in your area.