Periodontists - Specialists in diagnosis and treatment of complex gum diseases

04-Jul-2007

Periodontists - Specialists in diagnosis and treatment of complex gum diseases

Periodontist is a dentist that specializes in treating diseases of the periodontium or the supporting structures of the teeth. Most people have some form of periodontal disease, known as gum disease. If undetected or left, the support for the teeth in the jaw bone is destroyed. At later stages this may cause the teeth to become loose or painful. In addition, gum disease can cause bad breath and change in the appearance of smile.

Periodontists specialize in preventing and treating such diseases, in order to prevent the tooth from getting lost. The goal of the periodontal treatment is to control the cause i.e. bacterial plaque and the risk factors, repair the damage present and restore and maintain a healthy environment. Most cases of periodontal disease are caught early enough to be successfully treated by the general dentist, but when more complex treatments are necessary, a Periodontist may be required to exercise their specialized knowledge and experience.

Periodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with the maintenance of health and the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease, as well as the placement of dental implants. To become a Periodontist, one requires specialized training with a balance of academic, research work and clinical activity.