Since periodontal disease is more or less rampant in the United States, even patients who consider themselves orally healthy should get to know the qualifications of a periodontist, and the criteria for seeing one. Periodontists typically work on referral, but they also comanage certain kinds of care with general dentists.
Periodontists are trained in the soft connective tissues of the mouth. Basically, they know all about gums. They diagnose and treat gum disease, and perform procedures like scaling and root planing that shore up the mouth against further infection.
Dental implants are a popular form of reconstruction, and periodontists do a lot of these. Implants are also done by general dentists, but many of them prefer to outsource anything surgical to dentists with advanced training—periodontists.
Our periodontist in North Hollywood will start most appointments by taking a complete medical and dental history. X-rays may be taken to determine the advancement of your periodontal disease. Many patients have overdeveloped periodontal pockets—the space between teeth and gums—and periodontists may want to reduce these to avoid tooth loss. Periodontal pocket reduction is a form of oral surgery.
To learn more about periodontics or to schedule an appointment, contact our dentists in North Hollywood.
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