When Do I Need To See a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a dental health professional specializing in treating gum disease. Their area of specialty is the tissues surrounding the teeth, meaning patients can visit them for procedures like soft tissue sculpting and grafting, and bone grafts.

The need to visit a periodontist

Conditions affecting the gums or the jawbone may sometimes cause no pain or discomfort. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, a recent study has shown that gum disease affects over half of all American adults over 29, with many going undiagnosed and untreated.

The following are some of the issues that would require the attention of a periodontist, as well as their treatments.

Gum recession

The gums cover the teeth and prevent sensitivity, decay, and bone loss. But if the gum tissue erodes, the chances of losing the tooth increase. A periodontist can perform tissue sculpting or a gum transplant to reattach gum tissue over the exposed tooth root. This will help prevent further gum or tissue deterioration, root decay, and potential bone and tooth loss.

Although gum recession is a severe issue, not all instances require surgery. Brushing and flossing the teeth gently and seeing a dentist regularly should be enough to keep the gums healthy. Sensitive teeth are the first sign of gum recession. Exposed tooth roots might cause tooth sensitivity, especially at the gumline.

Restore bone loss

An untreated tooth or gum infection may harm the jawbone. The bone and gum supporting the teeth will continue to deteriorate, shrink, and change the shape of the face over time. Even those who are not planning on getting dental implants may need a bone transplant to prevent further bone loss. The patient’s face will age quickly and appear sunken without an adequate jawbone to support the facial muscles.

A periodontist will likely recommend procedures to repair and replace lost gum and bone, or to extract a tooth that cannot be salvaged. Undergoing treatment as soon as possible minimizes further bone and tooth loss.

Tissue sculpting

During cosmetic tissue sculpting, the periodontist removes and reshapes excess gum tissue around the teeth. The procedure is often recommended to improve the smile’s appearance if the patient has a gummy grin or seemingly short or tiny teeth.

The treatment takes 30 minutes to an hour on average to complete. The periodontist will brush the teeth and floss the gums before the procedure, and then use a local anesthetic to numb the gum tissue. They will make incisions on the gum tissues around the affected tooth and remove extra gum and bone tissue. The remaining tissues around the tooth will be reshaped then sterilized before the final suturing process.