- Home
- What is a Periodontist?
Specialized Care for Gum Health and Tooth Support
A periodontist is a dentist who focuses on stopping, diagnosing, and treating gum disease and other issues that affect the structures that hold the teeth in place. This includes the gums, jawbone, and connective tissues that keep teeth healthy and stable.
Richmond Heights Dental Arts can help you keep your smile, keep your teeth from falling out, and get better overall health by knowing when you need periodontal care.
The Role of a Periodontist
After dental school, periodontists get more training, usually by going to school for a few more years. They can deal with both mild and severe periodontal problems that regular dental care might not be able to fix completely.
A periodontist is an expert in:
- Taking care of gum disease (periodontitis)
- How to deal with gum recession
- Taking care of the jawbone
- Doing surgery on the gums
- Putting in implants for teeth
Why Gum Health Matters
things that gum disease can do:
- Teeth moving
- Teeth falling out
- Loss of bone
- Infection that lasts a long time
Gum disease has also been linked to other health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, and trouble breathing.
Conditions Treated by a Periodontist
Periodontists deal with a lot of things, such as:
- Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease.
- Periodontitis (a serious disease of the gums)
- Receding gums
- Gum abscesses
- Bone loss around teeth
- Dental implants that don’t work
Early treatment can stop damage that can’t be fixed.
Signs You May Need Periodontal Care
You might want to get a periodontal evaluation if you have any of the following:
- Gums that bleed when you floss or brush
- Breath that smells bad and won’t go away.
- Gums that hurt or are swollen
- Loss of gum or roots of teeth that are visible
- Teeth that aren’t tight
- Changes in how the bite fits together
Don’t ever ignore these signs.
Periodontist vs General Dentist
General Dentist | Periodontist |
Provides routine dental care | Specializes in gum and bone health |
Treats mild gum disease | Treats advanced periodontal disease |
Preventive focus | Surgical and regenerative expertise |
Both work together to ensure comprehensive care.
Periodontal Treatments Offered
Periodontal care can include:
- Cleaning the teeth deeply (scaling and root planing)
- Therapy for keeping the gums healthy
- Putting new tissue on the gums
- Putting bone together
- Laser therapy for gum disease
- Putting in implants for teeth
Every patient’s treatment plan is unique to them.
Periodontal Maintenance Care
It is very important to keep up with care after treating gum disease. Periodontal maintenance includes:
- Cleaning more often
- Watching the depths of gum pockets
- Keeping diseases from coming back
This kind of care will help keep your mouth healthy for a long time.
The Mouth–Body Connection
There is a link between periodontal disease and:
- Heart disease
- Problems that come with having diabetes
- Pregnancy risks
- Things that make inflammation happen
Taking care of gum disease is good for your whole body, not just your mouth.
When Your Dentist May Recommend a Periodontist
When it might be a good idea to get a referral:
- The disease of the gums has gotten worse.
- There is loss of bone.
- You need to have surgery.
- There are plans for implants.
- Standard treatment isn’t enough anymore.
Getting care from a specialist will give you the best possible result.
Why Choose Richmond Heights Dental Arts?
- Complete periodontal exams
- Pay attention to finding and stopping problems early.
- Recommendations for trusted specialists
- Help and information for patients
- Long-term commitment to oral health
Our team works closely with specialists to make sure that care goes well.
Protect Your Gums, Protect Your Smile
Healthy gums are the first step to a strong smile. Getting help early makes a big difference if you have gum problems or have been told you have periodontal disease. Richmond Heights Dental Arts can help you schedule an appointment and find out more about your periodontal care options.
Contact Us
We encourage you to contact us with any questions or comments you may have. Please call our office or use the quick contact form below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Often, yes. Your general dentist will determine if specialist care is needed.
Modern techniques and anesthesia make treatment comfortable and manageable.
Gingivitis can be reversed. Advanced periodontitis can be managed but requires ongoing care.
Many patients require cleanings every 3–4 months.
In many cases, yes, especially with early intervention.