“When is a periodontist preferred over a dentist?”
When would you suggest me to go to a periodontist over a dentist?
11 Answers
If your dentist does not have the skills to do perio work.
Hello,
Periodontists are specialists in gum and the surrounding tissues. They have gone to school for an extra 3-4 years. Dentists generally can do all aspects of dentistry as long as they are proficient and comfortable in those procedures. There is no panacea to choosing one over the other. Your dentist will refer if required or you visit a periodontist if you are more comfortable for that procedure. Generally periodontist will do gum or bone grafts, implants, and gum therapies to maintain healthy periodontium, i.e., pocket elimination, root planing, flap surgeries, to name just a few.
Hope this helps.
Periodontists are specialists in gum and the surrounding tissues. They have gone to school for an extra 3-4 years. Dentists generally can do all aspects of dentistry as long as they are proficient and comfortable in those procedures. There is no panacea to choosing one over the other. Your dentist will refer if required or you visit a periodontist if you are more comfortable for that procedure. Generally periodontist will do gum or bone grafts, implants, and gum therapies to maintain healthy periodontium, i.e., pocket elimination, root planing, flap surgeries, to name just a few.
Hope this helps.
A periodontist is a specialist who deals with issues with the gum and the bone. I always recommend a periodontist with moderate to severe periodontal disease as well as when there are certain surgical procedures needed such as sinus lifts, tissue grafts, etc. I would rely on the recommendations of your dental health care professional for your specific needs.
When your dentist recommends for you to see one!
The good rule of thumb is everyone after the age of 40 should have had a consultation with a periodontist.
Periodontists specialize in damaged bone surrounding the teeth which becomes the number one cause for tooth loss. If you have serious periodontal disease, you might want to see a periodontist before the bone loss becomes worse.
Hi! A periodontist is a gum specialist so if you have an issue with gum disease or are in need of gum surgery, your dentist may send you to a periodontist if he/she does not feel comfortable performing the gum treatment themselves.
A good general dentist should always be your go-to person for dentistry. If you have a specific problem associated with your periodontal structures, gums, roots of teeth and supporting bone, then seeing periodontist may be necessary. General dentists today should be comfortable with the basic diagnosis and treatment of periodontal issues, but if a problem persists or does not resolve as expected, you can expect to be referred to a periodontist. Some general dentists are very well equipped to treat even complex periodontal issues, but depending on your periodontal health, seeing a periodontist may be necessary. In my practice, if your issue has been properly treated and you have not responded as expected we will refer to the periodontist. Don't be afraid to talk to your dentist about the possibility of referring you to the specialist if you have concerns, but most patients hate being sent from office to office unless there is a good reason. Having a good general dentist is your most important contact for overall dental health.
Daniel A. Lieblong, D.D.S.
Daniel A. Lieblong, D.D.S.
A Periodontist is a specialist dentist who treats gum diseases
We refer patients to a periodontist when they have excessive bone loss and pocket depths. We complete scaling and root planing and Arestin in house to prevent any kind of surgical procedures with a periodontist. It’s a case by case call.
There are several reasons to see a periodontist. Below are a few examples:
1. After a deep cleaning and subsequent follow-up treatments, the patient is not responding to treatment and the disease is not stabilizing or is getting worse
2. Advanced bone loss requiring, either generalized or localized, that requires bone grafting
3. Advanced recession where gingival grafts are recommended
4. Placement of implants, especially in patients with periodontal disease
While this is not an exhaustive list, it covers the most common reasons to seek a specialist. In all cases, there should be a continued working relationship between the patient, the general dentist, and the periodontist so that the most optimal treatment can be achieved.
Dr. Rankin
1. After a deep cleaning and subsequent follow-up treatments, the patient is not responding to treatment and the disease is not stabilizing or is getting worse
2. Advanced bone loss requiring, either generalized or localized, that requires bone grafting
3. Advanced recession where gingival grafts are recommended
4. Placement of implants, especially in patients with periodontal disease
While this is not an exhaustive list, it covers the most common reasons to seek a specialist. In all cases, there should be a continued working relationship between the patient, the general dentist, and the periodontist so that the most optimal treatment can be achieved.
Dr. Rankin
