What Is a Periodontist?

I am often asked what I do for a living. When I am asked that question, it is hard to explain.

Obviously, I am a dentist, but beyond that, I am a periodontist. I try to explain what a periodontist is in relatable terms, and hopefully, without using the phrase “treatment of periodontal disease,” which could mean many things and sounds quite horrible.

In short, I answer that I am a dentist who specializes in the care and treatment of the structures that help support teeth and dental implants.

As a periodontist, we also work on cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance of the smile, as well as to improve a patient’s oral health and function. We do not, however, place crowns or bridges, and we do not restore teeth. We work more on the foundational structures to help the teeth work well, look good, and are healthy.

Professional Definition

The technical term for a periodontist is a dentist with additional training in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases and the placement of dental implants. We are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. We are familiar with the most advanced techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease, as well as trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures. You can see how that definition could cause most people’s eyes to gloss over!

Deeper Issues

However, you should be aware that periodontists often treat more complex restorative and functional issues.

Periodontists often treat complex health issues outside of the mouth.

Often, these kinds of cases are more problematic, as the foundational structures (the bone and soft tissues) are deteriorating, which can result in a much more complicated treatment plan for many patients. These patients frequently have complex medical histories that can include cardiovascular disease, smoking, diabetes, or cancer.

Handling Periodontal Infections

Sometimes the most fundamental aspect of our job is dealing with periodontal infection, which is a bacterial infection on the surface of the tooth root that causes an inflammatory response and the bone to resorb. This type of infection can eventually result in very disfiguring loss of gum, bone, and teeth. With the help of a periodontist, patients are often able to maintain their esthetics, teeth, and function for a lot longer.

Therefore, you can easily see the advantages of having a periodontist on your dental healthcare team.