Understanding Gum Specialists (And What do They Do)

Whether you’re looking for a new dentist, or your general dentist has referred you to a periodontic specialist, you may be wondering what these doctors actually do.

Well, it’s in the name! “Periodontal” conditions refer to any disease or condition of the gum and tooth supporting bone tissue. This means that a periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, as well as related conditions and issues.

These can include damage to the teeth and gums, tooth loss, the placement of dental implants, and much more, including cosmetic periodontal procedures like gum reduction surgery.

How Are Periodontists Certified?

Periodontists receive specialised training subsequent to completion of a normal dentistry course. Hence, they are certified as general dentists, but they also focus on diagnosing and treating gum disease, and related gum issues. In addition to treating periodontal disease with scaling and root planning, periodontists are specially trained for gum surgery and a wide range of treatments that are related to the dental health and gums.

When looking for a periodontist in Australia, you should look for a board certified periodontist, who has been confirmed to be a periodontal expert by the Dental Board of Australia and a member of ANZAP – the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Periodontists. This confirms that they have experience in gum disease, and in the placement of dental implants, along with other specialized gum-related issues.

What Do Periodontists Treat?

Periodontists can treat a huge variety of different oral health issues, including gum disease, oral trauma caused by impact injuries to the oral tissue, gums and teeth, the placement of dental implants, and more.

However, the most common disease treated by periodontists is gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. This disease is caused by the build-up of harmful bacteria on the gums, which turns into plaque, and eventually calcifies into tartar (also known as calculus).

When this happens, the gums become inflamed and painful, and can eventually rot and deteriorate, if appropriate medical attention is not sought in time. Serious cases of periodontal disease can easily result in the loss of every tooth in the mouth, so they must be treated as soon as possible.

Some of the techniques used to treat periodontal disease include scaling & root planing (deep cleaning), gum graft surgery, pocket reduction, and several other complex surgeries to eliminate infection.

Got Gum Disease? You Must Consult With A Professional!

We strongly advise you to consult with a professional if you suspect you have a serious case of gum disease, or you have another issue like a missing tooth that requires a dental implant, or oral trauma from an impact injury.

Dr Sethi is an expert in periodontics and dental implants, and is always open to see new patients. If you need periodontal treatment, or are looking to get a dental implant, come in or schedule an appointment at Central Periodontics. We can get you the help you need to restore your mouth, and get your life back to normal.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.