What Is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in periodontal disease. The term “periodontics” refers to the dental specialty that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease. If you’re looking for periodontics in Franklinville, NJ, our team at Franklinville Dental is happy to help.
The gum tissues serve to surround and support your teeth, and the underlying jawbone anchors the teeth firmly in place. Periodontists have to complete several years of extra dental training and are mainly concerned with maintaining the function, health, and aesthetics of the gum tissue and jawbone.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that begins with mild gum inflammation called gingivitis. It’s the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and is caused by poor oral hygiene. Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is typically signified by red, swollen, painful, or bleeding gums, but in some cases will have no noticeable symptoms.
Periodontal disease generally begins when the bacteria living in plaque cause an infection in the surrounding tissues of the teeth, causing them to become irritated and painful. Eventually, this infection will cause the jawbone to recede and the tooth to loosen. Untreated gum disease can lead to painful infections and eventually tooth loss.
Reasons for Periodontal Treatment
There are several reasons why periodontal treatment may be necessary:
- Moderate or advanced gum disease — This occurs when the gums are bleeding, swollen, or red around most teeth and the jawbone has started to recede.
- Localized gum recession — The infection which propagates moderate or advanced gum disease often begins in one area. Gum recession may also be caused due to over brushing with a hard bristle brush, or due to a tooth that’s not positioned properly. Immediate treatment is required to prevent further spreading.
- Before crown lengthening — The periodontist may lengthen the crown of the tooth by removing surrounding soft tissue to provide more tooth exposure.
- Ridge augmentation — This procedure, often called “recontouring” may be required to correct an uneven gum line. Before beginning treatment, a periodontist needs to treat any bacterial infections and periodontitis.
Who Needs Periodontics in Franklinville, NJ?
Many adults find themselves in need of periodontic treatment. In the case of mild or moderate periodontal problems, the focus of the periodontist will be on curing the underlying bacterial infection and providing advice on the most appropriate home care.
Sometimes, a deep scaling is needed to remove the bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar) from the teeth and tissues. Where periodontal disease is advanced and the jawbone has regressed significantly, more intensive cleaning may be recommended and loose teeth that cannot be saved will be removed.
Periodontists are trained in all aspects of dental implant procedures, which can restore functionality to the mouth when teeth have been affected by periodontitis. Because periodontal disease is progressive, it’s essential to remove the bacteria and calculus build-up to halt the spread of the infection. Your dentist will be happy to advise you on effective cleaning methods and treatment options.
Meet Your Periodontist at Franklinville Dental
Are you concerned about the state of your gums? Dr. Todd Gottlieb and his team have extensive experience in all fields of General Dentistry, including periodontics in Franklinville, NJ. Call our office at (856) 694-5555 or schedule an appointment here. We’d love to help you improve your oral health.