How to Choose a Periodontist?
A periodontist (Newark Periodontics) has done extensive training in one of the ten specialties offered in dentistry. There will be a punch list that you should consider addressing when choosing a periodontist for your procedure. Most often your general, family dentist will have a qualified referral for you to limit and control your anxiety when being introduced to yet another dentist.
Education, Training and Certification of a Periodontist
A Periodontist will complete the four years in dental school and then continue with at least three more years of focusing on just the specialty of periodontology. The periodontist will then have a DDS, Doctor of Dental Surgery and an accreditation from the ADA, America Dental Association, for periodontology. They can also earn national board certification by the ABP, American Board of Periodontology. This specialty not only focuses on the soft tissue of the gums but also the entire supporting system for your teeth. There are many periodontal ligaments underneath each tooth that help stabilize the teeth in the arch. The gums often act as a shock absorber with the occasional higher impact of chewing or biting.
A periodontist must be recertified every six years through fulfillment of continuing education requirements and professional activities that demonstrate their competence in periodontics and current knowledge.
The First Major Procedure that would have You choosing a Periodontist
Almost half of the American adults over the age of 30 have periodontal disease, or gum disease. Gum disease is very progressive but painless disease that literally sneaks up on you. The disease has two identifiable stages that the periodontist must treat to stymie its progression. The first stage is gingivitis. What causes gum disease? By not brushing regularly and removing the daily plaque that builds up on the teeth it will inevitably reach the gum and immediately infect the soft tissue. The first signs are swelling, tenderness and darkening in color. You will also experience bad breath.
To combat the gingivitis the periodontist will begin with a very good cleaning of your teeth. Then the process proceeds down the tooth chasing the plaque. This deep cleaning, below the gum line, is called scaling. At times it may be necessary to introduce a local anesthetic to numb the gums. Once the plaque is removed an antibiotic is prescribed and in several days the infection will subside.
If the gum disease has progressed to the next level it is called periodontitis. Now your gums have began to bleed and the tissue sags away from the tooth. This unfortunately causes a pocket which in turns collects food particles and accelerates the entire deterioration of the tissue. It can now begin to loosen teeth and cause bone loss. The periodontist will scale deeper and now include root planning, removing plaque that has gone that deep. Some minor surgery may be involved to get all the plaque removed. If the teeth are loose a mouth guard may be introduced to allow the supporting structure to heal. Recovery will be longer, but it will heal.
The Second Major Procedure, Crown Lengthening
Unlike the health implications of gum disease crown lengthening is an elective procedure based on cosmetics. If you smile and see more gum than the white crowns of your teeth the proportions will look out of balance. This is a common occurrence called a gummy smile and can easily be altered by a periodontist. After the administration of a local anesthetic the dentist will use either a traditional, surgical scalpel or a laser to trim back the unwanted gum tissue. This will now expose more of the crown of the tooth bringing that proportion back in balance. In only a few days the gums will heal, and your smile will have received a welcome make over.
The Third Major Procedure available with a Periodontist
A procedure that is growing in popularity is that of a dental implant. If for any reason, extraction or an unfortunate accident, you have lost a tooth then that tooth should be replaced in due time. It will not take long for the neighboring teeth to shift into that gap having a negative effect on your bite pattern. The best solution today is a dental implant. The periodontist will surgically place a titanium post into the jawbone. Once the post has had a chance to fuse to the bone an extension or abutment will be placed on the post then a ceramic or porcelain crown fabricated in a dental lab will be affixed to the abutment. The most natural looking artificial option available. This solution is also in maintaining the health of your jawbone to eliminate bone loss.
The Qualifications to Apply to your Periodontist Search
Now that you have determined which procedure you are requiring you can develop a punch list of requirements from the following suggestions. First, we listed the educational elements earlier. Do not be afraid to confirm the level of education and the source of that education. The amount of education segues right into the length or duration of the practice. How long has the dentist been practicing periodontics? Any of the three procedures can warrant visual documentation. Ask to see before and after pictures of previous successful cases. Certainly, in the second two procedures dealing with a cosmetic angle there is more artistry involved. At that point you should consider a consultation to address your situation. Listen for clues to the level of aggression. Is it a conservation approach on an aggressive one? And why is this treatment being suggested in your situation. You must address the costs involved. Is the suggested level of treatment based on cost? Have the office check with your insurance to clarify the level of coverage. You can also see if the dental office has payment plan alternatives. Don’t hesitate to go back to your general family dentist to bounce an answer off them. Do you have any family or friends that are aware of this periodontist and a history of successful results?
Learning from Our Mistakes
Fortunately, any of the three procedures that the periodontist may perform might be the last they have to do for you. Especially when it comes to the first and foremost of gum disease. This situation is mostly self-inflicted. By slowing down and improving your oral hygiene habits you can avoid having to go through this again. The health industry strongly suggests we brush twice a day, slowly, for two minutes at a time. This is all the effort it takes to stay ahead of that sticky, bacteria carrying plaque. At any time, each of us have 100 to 200 different types of bacteria present in our mouth. Some of these are good bacteria necessary in the digestive process. If you brush you can avoid cavities, decay and gum disease.
Once the periodontist is happy with the healing and recovery you will be able to return to your general dentist. It is also a very good practice moving forward that you schedule a visit twice a year for consistent evaluations. These visits will also include x-rays and professional teeth cleaning to assist you with your oral hygiene habits at home. Depending on the procedure the periodontist may wish to see you again as well. Whether it was to address severe gum disease or the condition of your implant these visits will only help you. Then your smile will become a success story for another new patient that is following in your footsteps as they try to choose a periodontist. Stay healthy, establish good habits and don’t be afraid to share your smile.
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