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Periodontists are specialists who focus on diseases, conditions and other issues that affect the gums.
If you require the specialised skills of a periodontist, your dentists will recommend this course of action if they feel it’s needed.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a pervasive condition that can aggressively attach to your gingival tissue. When left untreated, it can cause a considerable amount of damage to your entire oral health system, causing issues like chronic oral infections and adult tooth loss. Periodontists provide treatment for complex and advanced cases of gum disease.
If gum disease infection takes hold, inflammation in pockets between your teeth and gums may require special attention. Periodontists specialise in a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing to ensure your teeth get cleaned beneath the gum line.
Infections below the gumline can cause irreparable damage to tissues in the gum pocket. If this occurs, a periodontist can treat this with a procedure called root surface debridement. This treatment is more invasive than scaling and root planing, as it actually removes tissues that are damaged, controlling the spread of infection and promoting healing. If performed in time, this action can prevent the infection from causing tooth loss.
If you’re wondering if you should see a periodontist, keep in mind that periodontists focus on the gums — their treatments are more precise and complex than what’s provided by a general dental practitioner or hygienist. So, if you have an aggressive form of gum disease, you will benefit from a periodontist’s expert level of knowledge.
