top of page

What is a periodontist?

​

A periodontist is a dental specialist in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions that affect the supporting tissues of teeth, including the gums and bone. A periodontist has an additional three years of university specialty training after the completion of dental school.

​

They are the leading experts in the management of gum inflammation and surgical procedures to treat gum diseases. In addition, periodontists perform highly aesthetic procedures to enhance your smile and correct receding gums. They also receive extensive training in reconstructive surgeries, like bone grafting and dental implant placement, to help replace missing teeth.

​

What is periodontal disease?

​

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gingival fibers and the bone, and can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal diseases can be classified as either gingivitis or periodontitis.

​

Gingivitis is a very common infection where the inflammation is limited to the gingiva. It is easily reversible with treatment. Periodontitis, on the other hand, is a bacterial infection characterized by inflammation which extends down the root of the tooth and into the supporting structures of the tooth. This causes destruction of the periodontal ligament (the fibers attaching to the root surface) and the bone supporting the root. This process is irreversible and may lead to tooth loss if not adequately treated and controlled.

​

While the main cause for periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, there are predisposing factors which may make patients more susceptible to disease or further aggravate periodontitis. These include smoking, diabetes, a weakened immune system and genetics. For example, the risk of periodontitis can be up to 6 times higher in a smoker as compared to a non-smoker. Interestingly, numerous studies have shown that periodontal disease is a significant risk factor in the aggravation of several systemic conditions such as diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, osteoporosis and may lead to an increased incidence of cardiovascular accidents and pre-term and low birth weight babies in people with periodontitis.

​

​

gingivitis-EN.jpg

Periodontal plastic surgery

​

The ultimate goal of these periodontal procedures is to create a beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health. In many cases, periodontal plastic surgery lays the foundation for further cosmetic enhancements, like veneers or crowns, by your general dentist.

Crown lengthening, gum grafts and bone ridge augmentation can all contribute to creating a natural and aesthetic gum line around the planned new veneers and crowns.

​

If patients have very short teeth, we can help provide them with more natural looking teeth by creating a more physiologic length through a crown lengthening procedure. When patients have exposed root surfaces due to receding gums, the teeth can appear very long. In these cases, gum grafts are performed to cover the root surfaces. If a tooth has been lost, a connective tissue or bone ridge augmentation can correct teeth asymmetry resulting from a concavity in the bone or gum tissue and re-establish normal architecture of the jawbone.

bottom of page