How to Choose a Periodontist
Periodontists are specialized dental practitioners who are highly skilled in diagnosing, treating, and preventing periodontal disease. They are also experts in tooth replacement and perform cosmetic oral plastic surgery procedures. If you are experiencing symptoms of periodontal disease, such as bleeding or swollen gums, general mouth pain, loose teeth or loss of teeth, recession of the gums, chronic bad breath, or a change in your bite you should see a periodontist right away. Your general dentist may also refer you to see a periodontist as well. Periodontal disease is important to treat and control as early as possible, because it can cause and is linked to other serious health issues, both oral and general. Additionally, if you have heart disease, diabetes, or family histories of stroke or cancers, you should see a periodontist regularly as these conditions have been linked to periodontal disease. If you need a periodontist, you may be wondering, how do I choose one? Read on to find out how to choose a periodontist that is right for you.
What makes a periodontist a periodontist?
Periodontists are dentists who complete additional training and college courses to become experts in the field of periodontal disease and tooth replacement. Periodontists complete a four-year college degree and a doctorate in dental medicine just like every dentist. Then they complete at least three years of formal training in an American Dental Association (ADA)-accredited periodontology residency program.
Once periodontists complete the residency program, they can go on to earn a national board certification by the American Board of Periodontology (ABP). To do this, they must pass a comprehensive written and oral examination. This examination covers all phases of periodontal disease and its treatment. It also requires presenting detailed reports on a range of treatments that the periodontist has personally provided.
Additionally, periodontists must recertify their credentials every six years. This recertification process requires the completion of continuing education requirements as well as other professional activities. This is meant to ensure the practitioner is current on periodontal treatment scholarship and practices as well as to demonstrate their knowledge and competence in periodontal care.
When selecting a periodontist, it is important to consider their credentials. Board certified periodontists generally have received more training. Therefore, consider whether the periodontist you are choosing is current on their credentials and if they are board certified.
What types of periodontal treatment do they perform?
When considering a periodontist, it is also important to thoroughly examine the types of treatments they perform. In general, most periodontist perform the same treatments, but some perform and specialize in additional treatments. Your specific needs for treatment should factor into your search. Some of the treatments periodontists perform are:
- Non-surgical treatments: All periodontists can provide non-surgical treatments for periodontal disease. These include deep cleaning, scaling, and root planing. Root planing is a treatment that involves a deep cleaning of the root structures of the teeth. This treatment removes plaque and tartar build up from the periodontal pockets around the roots. Additional non-surgical treatments performed by periodontists include the use of antibiotics and antimicrobials to treat the periodontal disease.
- Dental Implants: Periodontists also perform dental implant placement. A dental implant is a prosthetic that is affixed to the jawbone to replace a missing a tooth. In general, periodontists all perform this procedure. If you are missing teeth however, it is important to verify that this procedure can be done at the periodontist’s practice.
- Periodontal Surgery: In general, all periodontists also perform various periodontal surgeries such as: regeneration, pocket reduction, and gingivectomy. Regeneration involves folding back gum tissues to remove bacteria. The periodontist then uses membranes (filters), bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins. These encourage your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue. Pocket reduction similarly involves folding back the gums to remove harmful bacteria, followed by securing the tissues in place to encourage healing. Gingivectomy involves removing excess tissue to allow the gums to heal. It is important to discuss these procedures to find out the periodontist’s philosophy of treatment and which they perform regularly.
- Additional procedures: There are additional procedures that not all periodontists perform. If you need these procedures, it is important to verify with the practice that they can be performed there. These are periodontal plastic surgeries such as gingival sculpting, soft tissue grafting, and ridge augmentation. When choosing a periodontist, it is important to investigate if they perform the types of procedures you may need.
What should I consider when choosing a periodontist?
There are many things to consider when choosing a periodontist. It is important that you feel comfortable with the person and practice that you are entrusting your care to.
If your general dentist has recommended or referred you to a practitioner, there is a good chance you will be recommended to someone that also is a good fit for you. This assumes that you have a trusting relationship with your general dentist. If your dentist has not referred you to a periodontist, you might consider starting by asking them who they would recommend.
When picking a periodontist there are several important things to keep in mind for your search.
- Staff qualifications: As stated above, it is important to consider the qualifications of the periodontist and staff of the practice.
- The treatments available at the practice: As stated above, it is important to consider the treatments provided by the practice and ensure they align to your needs.
- Treatment philosophy: All periodontists have slightly different philosophies on treatment. Some are more likely to suggest surgical intervention to correct the issue immediately. Others are more likely to focus on non-surgical approaches. This can include making lifestyle changes to slowly correct the issue. It is important that you are aware of their philosophy of treatment and that you feel confident in it.
- The practice’s environment: It is also important to consider the general environment of the practice. Not only is it important to make sure you receive care from a qualified periodontist, but it is also important that you feel comfortable in the place where you will receive this care. This includes the staff. You want to ensure that they are courteous and make you feel confident in the care you are receiving.
- Geographic location: It is important to consider the geographic location of the periodontist’s office to your home, work, or general patterns of life. Periodontal disease typically requires more frequent visits than general dentist checkups. Therefore, it is important to ensure that traveling to the office fits your schedule.
- Cost, insurance, and financing options: It is important to consider the methods of payment accepted by the practice. Each periodontal practice has slightly different methods for accepting payment. These can include the types of insurance companies they work with, and options for financing. Before selecting a periodontist, it is important to discuss the practice’s policies for payment. This is especially true before scheduling any major periodontal procedures. If the practice you are researching does not work with your insurance or have options for payment, continue researching and find one that does.
What are my next steps?
If you need to see a periodontist, it is important that you do your research. Periodontists are highly skilled and trained practitioners. Each periodontist is unique in the treatment that they provide, however. Because periodontal care is so important, it is essential that you do your research and choose a periodontist that is right for you. Schedule consultations and ask questions. In the end, you’ll be happy you put the care and time into selecting a practice that is the right fit.