What is a Periodontist?
Happy Valley, OR

Dentist explaining an x-ray to a woman patient, at Fusion Dental Specialists in Happy Valley, OR.

While only a small part of your body, the mouth is extremely important. You go to your dentist for preventative maintenance, cleanings, and exams, but sometimes, a specialist is needed. One of these specialists is a periodontist, and you can find one at Fusion Dental Specialists.

When You Need a Periodontist

Your general dentist is often the one you go to when you have issues with your mouth. Moreover, in some cases, your general dentist may be able to take care of your periodontal issues. However, if your general dentist recommends that you see a periodontist, it is best to heed this advice. Together, your general dentist and your periodontist will help to ensure your optimal oral health.

What is a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, a serious oral health issue that can lead to tooth loss. They are also experts in the placement of dental implants, a popular surgical option for replacing missing teeth, along with their maintenance and repair.

Periodontists usually treat more severe cases of periodontal disease. They offer several treatments designed at restoring the health of your gums, and therefore your teeth, including scaling and root planing, gum disease therapy or even surgical procedures.

What does a Periodontist treat?

The focus of a periodontist is with the health of your gums. As periodontists, we treat:

•	Gingivitis. This is the earliest stage of gum disease, characterized by irritated and inflamed gums that often bleed when flossing and brushing.
•	Mild to moderate periodontitis. This is the next stage of periodontal disease when pockets in your gums have begun forming.
•	Advanced periodontitis. With this stage of gum disease, the pockets in your gums are deep, you have suffered gum recession, and the bones (and structures that support your teeth) have started to deteriorate. Your teeth may have become loose.
•	Missing teeth. When periodontal disease is severe, your loose teeth can fall out.

Procedures Offered by a Periodontist

There are numerous treatments available by a periodontist, aimed at restoring the health of your gums and your beautiful smile. Depending on your unique situation, we offer such procedures as:

•	Scaling and root planing. This procedure is used to clean the surfaces of your teeth, between them and below the gum line, removing plaque, tartar (hardened plaque), bacteria and other toxins. We also smooth the surface of your roots.
•	Soft tissue grafts. Performed to restore a natural, healthy gum line following gum recession.
•	Gingivoplasty. Recontouring your gum line to make it appear more natural.
•	Crown lengthening. Removing excess gum tissue.
•	Bone grafts. Often done to replace missing bone mass in your jawbone, which then allows for a strong, stable surface for implants.
•	Osteoplasty. Hard tissue recontouring, done to make the bone appear more natural after treatment for periodontitis.
•	Placement of dental implants. Dental implants are becoming the top option for tooth replacement. Small titanium rods are surgically placed into your jawbone, providing a permanent support for false teeth.