Dr. Amrita Jha is One of the Best Periodontist in Delhi, Dwarka & provides best treatment for gums diseases like receding gums, gingivitis, uneven gum line, exposed roots etc.. Here you will also learn about, why people should prefer periodontists to treat different symptoms and diseases of gum problem & why it is important to consult a periodontist before going for a dental implant.
The periodontist is a dentist who has specialization in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of periodontal diseases. Periodontal disease refers to the chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and the bone supporting the teeth, also known as gum disease.
They receive extensive training both in the sphere of dental areas and other areas as well. A periodontist also gets additional three years of education which is beyond their dental schooling.
Even though a dentist can also treat less severe periodontal cases, they will always refer to a periodontist for the cases which require extensive diagnosis and treatment.
The periodontist not only handles the implant cases and the challenging periodontal but also provides numerous other specialized services.
Some of these services provided by the periodontist include root planning and scaling, root surface debridement, cosmetic periodontal procedures, and oral inflammation treatment.
Hence, we can say that periodontist is a practicing area under dentistry but a more specialized branch of modern dentistry. This field specializes in gums and other tooth-supporting tissues, which are known as the periodontium.
A periodontist is a dentist, but a dentist is not a periodontist. There are many differences between a dentist and a periodontist. Let us have a brief look at the differences between a dentist and a periodontist on various spheres:
In terms of area of specialty, the periodontist treats more specialized and challenging cases in comparison to a dentist.
A periodontist specializes in the treatment, diagnosis, prevention of periodontal diseases and also in the placement of dental implants. Similarly, the periodontist also has expertise in treating the problem of oral inflammation.
In contrast to a periodontist, dentists usually treat patients with problems like gums, teeth, and other related parts of the mouth.
Not only this, but the dentist also provide suggestion and instruction to the patients on taking proper care of their teeth and gum and also on the diet choices, which have a direct impact on the oral health of an individual.
There is also a difference between a periodontist and a dentist in terms of work responsibility. The periodontist usually treats cases that are complex and challenging and require the attention of a specialist instead of the ordinary dentist.
Similarly, periodontist treatment comprises non-surgical procedures like scaling planning an infected root to a tooth. Moreover, the treatment by a periodontist might also include laser periodontal therapy or oral surgery.
The periodontist is given proper training in advanced surgical techniques, which include regenerative surgery, dental implant placement, periodontal plastic surgery, etc.
Furthermore, the periodontist also handles cases of advanced cases of gum disease, which are known periodontitis, and treatment of this disease is out of bounds for a general dentist.
Whereas the dentist treats and diagnoses the problems related to the gums, teeth, and related parts of the mouth.
They also provide advice on how to ensure the proper health of teeth and gums. They also treat the problems such as injured teeth, decaying teeth, problems in the gums and supporting teeth, etc.
However, in case they find the case to be more complex, they will refer the patient to a periodontist. The job responsibility of the dentist also includes removing damaged teeth, cleaning the teeth, a routine checkup of the teeth and gums, etc.
Dentists are like general medical doctors who look after the well-being of your whole mouth and also examine your mouth for various diseases, including oral cancer.
Moreover, in numerous instances, the dentist also provides cosmetic care to the teeth, such as whitening of teeth, and they can also treat gum diseases through routine cleaning, deep cleaning and scaling, and by use of other anti-biotics medicines.
In terms of credentials and education, there are also vast differences between a dentist and a periodontist. In order to become a periodontist, undergraduate degree is required, and one should also complete four years of dental schooling which should include both clinical experience and coursework.
Apart from this, periodontists have a dental license which they earn by giving written and practical examinations. Moreover, they also complete an additional three years of postdoctoral training in their field.
Whereas in the case of a dentist, they need to complete their under graduation and then four years of dental schooling, which includes both the course work and clinical experience. They earn their license by giving written and practical examinations.
However, the dentist does not attend any extra postdoctoral training like the periodontist.
Periodontists are the experts in the arena of gum disease and other related diseases. And often, a normal dental disease progresses to a point where the dentist may refer you to a periodontist as they can only solve the problem.
American Academy of Periodontology suggests that if you are suffering from the problem of a advanced gum disease and you have been making a lot of struggle to keep your gum disease under control, but it seems impossible, then you should definitely consult a periodontist.
Apart from this, your general dentist might also refer to you some periodontists in case you require advanced periodontal treatment.
Some of the circumstances in which you are required to consult a periodontist if you are suffering from moderate or several periodontal diseases such as:
Apart from the above-mentioned, you also need to consult a periodontist in case your dentist has suggested a dental implant procedure.
This is due to the reason that the periodontist is an expert in the field of dental implants, and they can seamlessly complete this surgical procedure, ensuring that you do not have to face any hassle.
One of the first and perhaps the most important benefit of tooth removal by a periodontist is that your tooth can be saved as there is no better dental health professional other than a periodontist.
Periodontists have specialization in saving the natural teeth through various advanced procedures in order to rebuild the healthy gum tissues and also reverse the bone loss in the jaw.
But if a bacterial infection has destroyed the teeth' roots, gum tissue, and other bone structure underneath the gums, and in this instance, there is no other option other than to remove the tooth.
Apart from only removing a tooth, reversing the damage in the tooth, treating infections for all this, you should definitely consult a periodontist. The major advantage of choosing a periodontist for tooth removal is that before removing your tooth, they will find other suitable forms of replacement to restore the smile of the patient.
Hence, this not only enables the patients to remain confident but their appearance, but it will also prevent or retard the complications arising in the sphere of oral health, which are associated with the loss of a tooth.
And by preferring a periodontist to remove your tooth, the whole process shall be handled by only one doctor who has high expertise in the specific sphere.
Hence, you will be benefitted from the high quality results, which will efficiently restore your oral health and functions. And you will not be referred to another doctor at each different stage of your treatment.
All your needs can be efficiently fulfilled at one office, and thereby this can save significant time and money without compromising upon the quality of the teeth removal process.
Above, we have discussed the difference between a dentist and a periodontist. However, there is another specialized sphere of a dentist who is an orthodontist.
And numerous may not even have proper knowledge about who they are and what do they do. Often one can get confused between these different types of spheres of dentistry. So to ensure that one does not get confused between an orthodontist and a periodontist, we will have a look at the difference between the periodontist and orthodontist.
When the patient comes with a gum problem to a periodontist, they will initially take a periodontal screening and prescribe some medical tests to ascertain the reason behind the problem.
Apart, they will also make some other checks to determine whether there are any dental plaque deposits or bleeding in the gum pockets and also check the appearance of the gum for any color change.
After acquiring all these details, they will develop a dental hygiene strategy for the patient and will perform the required procedures to ensure that the patient does not suffer from the specific problem anymore and thereby get some relief.
Hence, if you want to know about the procedures which the periodontist performs to solve the gum problem or teeth problem. The different procedures performed by the periodontist are discussed below:
This is one of the most preferred procedures of the periodontist. Our gums tend to protect our teeth from various problems such as tooth decay, sensitivity, bones loss, etc. However, in certain circumstances, the gum tissues get eroded, and this problem is known as gum recession. And in this case, the risk of losing a tooth increases significantly.
But with the procedure of gum graft or tissue sculpting, the periodontist will efficiently reposition the gum tissue over the tooth which is exposed.
The primary benefits of this procedure are that it prevents additional gum or tissue loss and also protects from tooth decay, tooth loss, etc.
Similarly, periodontists also perform the procedure of tissue sculpting to improve the smile of their patients. By the procedure of cosmetic tissue sculpting, they can effectively remove the excess gum tissue and thereby reshape it around the teeth so that it can look pleasing.
If someone has a gummy smile or their teeth look too small or short, a periodontist uses the tissue sculpting procedure to recorrect it and ensure that the patient gets a dominating smile.
One of the most preferred non-invasive methods of reducing the problem of gum infection used by the periodontist is scaling or root planning.
With this method, they tend to clean deep into the periodontal pockets of the individual. In numerous instances, patients need root planning or scaling to reverse the symptom of gum disease such as gingivitis.
An innovative procedure that is used by the periodontist to treat various problems related to the gum and teeth is laser treatment. This procedure came from the conventional root planing and scaling procedure.
In this procedure, the periodontist uses an advanced laser pointed hand tool to remove the damaged tissue, which tends to be the root cause of all the problems of the gum.
The benefit of using this procedure is that it is precise and does not cause any pain to the patient, unlike the other procedures, and also patients receive speedy healing from their problem when the periodontist uses this procedure.
When the patient suffers from the problem of receding gum, their tooth root gets exposed, and this often leads to several gum and tooth issues. In order to prevent this problem from happening again or ending up in a worse scenario such as bone loss, the periodontist may use the procedure of gingival graft.
The gum graft procedure refers to a process of covering the exposed tooth with the help of soft tissue. This gum tissue often comes from the palate of the patient, and hence the gum lines become even; thereby, the patient can get healthier teeth.
The gummy smile refers to a dental condition in which the gums tend to overlap the teeth and thereby make the gums appear smaller. In order to correct this problem, the periodontist shall use the procedure of dental crown lengthening.
In this procedure, excess parts of the gum tissues are removed so that the teeth can get more exposure.
Often patients request such type of procedure from the periodontist for the purpose of a cosmetic solution. And in this solution, along with the problem of a gummy smile, the decayed part of the tooth due to blocked gums is also restored.
In several instances, bone damage is one of the major causes of severe gum infection. And in case of severe gum infection, a simple periodontal procedure cannot effectively solve the problem.
The periodontist will prefer to use the regenerative procedure, in this case, to solve this problem and thereby save the bone as well as the affected tooth. In this procedure, tissue-stimulating proteins are used as they can efficiently restore the natural health of the bones as well as the tissues.
The gums of an individual should be like snuggling fit around their teeth so that they can remain in a stable and sturdy position.
But often due to bacteria build-up the gum pockets tend to get loose in their fit and hence expose a significant part of the teeth under the gum line.
In order to solve this problem, the periodontist shall use the pocket reduction procedure to clean the gums and attach them inappropriate manner.
In numerous cases, severe gum diseases often lead to the loss of a tooth. And one of the most efficient ways to restore the prosthetic tooth is by attaching the crown and dental implant. Tooth implants are like screw posts that are made using metal.
They are attached deeply into the jawbone so that they can provide a sturdy foundation for the new bone. The periodontist often prefers to use the procedure as this method provides sufficient time to fuse the post with the tissues and the bones.
Often it is difficult to decide where one should have their dental implant, either from a dentist or from a periodontist. The answer to this question seems to be simple, for an efficient and smoother dental implant procedure, we should only prefer the periodontist.
This is due to the reason that the periodontist is very well equipped to perform this procedure in a seamless manner. And they play a vital role in the dental implant procedure of a patient.
There are usually two different types of dental implants one is known as endosteal, which happens inside the mouth, whereas the other one is known as subperiosteal, which is on the bones. Among these two, the most common type of dental implant is the endosteal dental implant.
In this procedure, blades, screws, or cylinders are implanted into the jawbone of the patient. This type of dental implant is preferred as an alternative for patients who have the removal of bridges or dentures.
At the same time, the subperiosteal dental implant is placed on the jaw with its post pushing into the gums that hold the implant in its place.
This type of implant is used for the patient who suffers from the problem of not being able to wear regular dentures and also having low bone height.
As mentioned above, the periodontist plays a special role in the procedure of dental implants. As they have undergone specialized training and have good expertise in this arena, they effectively ensure that the dental implant procedure for the patient becomes effective and painless.
During the implant, it is essential to remove an infection from the implant site, and if the infection is not removed efficiently from the implant site, then after the procedure, the patient can suffer from severe pain.
Thus, the periodontist, due to the vast experience in this sphere, can easily identify the infection and the accurate spot where the infection occurs, and thereby, they remove it effectively.
Similarly, it also requires to monitor the implant site effectively, and the periodontist, before and after the dental implant procedure, can monitor the implant site and easily identify any infection or any other problem and quickly use other procedures to remove the problem so that patient does not experience any kind of hassle.
Thus, when it comes to dental implant procedures, a patient only wants focused care and a seamless experience.
And this all can be achieved when the dental implant procedure is conducted by a periodontist. Having a periodontist performing the dental implant procedure means getting treatment from a professional who has enhanced education and training.
The periodontist is often referred to as the plastic surgeons of the dentistry sphere. If you are also suffering from any gum or teeth problem and also you want to improve your smile, then the periodontist can provide you with a helping hand in this regard.
The periodontist also offers numerous cosmetic procedures apart from the above-discussed procedures. Hence some of the cosmetic procedures which are offered by the periodontist for different problems are as follows:
When you smile, do you feel that it is too gummy, or do your gums tend to cover some significant portion of your teeth. Hence, in this case, dental crown lengthening will be a suitable cosmetic procedure for you.
Through this procedure, the periodontist removes excess gum tissues so that more teeth can remain exposed. Hence your gum line is also sculpted to provide you with a new smile.
Often in the problem of gum recession which is a major periodontal disease, the root of the tooth becomes more exposed, and thereby, this can make your teeth look very lengthy.
Hence, in this case, the periodontist shall perform the gum graft surgery along with other root coverage procedures to cover the exposed roots and also reduce the gum recession.
Thus, the vulnerable tooth roots can be protected from decay, and this can provide you with a mesmerizing smile.
The problem of loss of a tooth can also cause the problem of indentation in the gums and jawbones. This problem often takes place when the jawbone recedes, and it can be no longer able to hold the tooth in its place.
This indentation is not only unnatural but also has a significant impact on the success of the tooth replacement procedure, such as the dental implant.
And in this regard, the periodontist might use the procedure of ridge augmentation that can fill this defect and thereby recapturing the natural contour of the jaws and the gums.
Thus, the dental implant can be placed in this scenario, and this can make it look more natural, and it will also be easy to maintain and function like a real tooth.
Often, periodontal diseases do not comprise of any signs and symptoms, and they are silent in nature. The pain may not even appear till the cases become very severe and reach the advanced stage.
However, some of the signs and symptoms of the periodontal disease which you should definitely look for and determining these signs at the earliest and consulting a periodontist may prevent the problem from getting aggravated.
These signs and symptoms are as follows:
The connection between the other diseases and gum disease has been a matter of debate. In numerous research studies, it is indicated that gum disease can be linked to other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, etc. And researchers believe that inflammation may be the primary basis behind this interconnection between gum diseases and other diseases.
If your periodontist has advised you to go for the implant, you should definitely complete the procedure. However, if you don't have money for this procedure and you want financial assistance for this periodontal treatment.
Then there are some resources from where you can earn financial assistance for periodontal disease. The first option is the periodontist; often, in numerous cases, periodontists setup financing options like payment plans, which comprise EMIs that can help you divide the burden of the treatment of periodontal disease equally in few months.
You can also contact any dental college or university which offers periodontal treatment at subsidized rates.
Children are less likely to suffer from the problem of periodontal disease. But the, adolescents are prone to suffer from the problem of periodontal disease.
However, if the children are taught to keep proper care of their teeth and gums and keep it healthy, then their chances of suffering from periodontal disease in the future can be prevented.
One of the best ways in which you can prevent periodontal disease is to take proper care of your teeth and gums at home.
With some simple steps such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing your teeth after every meal, and consulting your dentist or periodontist twice a year for regular checkups of your teeth and gums, you can prevent the chances of suffering from periodontal disease.
No, technically speaking, periodontal diseases are not contagious. They are often caused by the inflammatory reaction to the bacteria present under the gums. But the, when saliva mixes with this bacteria, the inflammatory reaction can spread to other parts.
Hence, if you are suffering from periodontal disease or any of your family members are suffering from this disease, then it is better to avoid contact with other people by not sharing meals, utensils, and other oral equipment used by the patient.
