While you may have never considered seeing a dental practitioner other than your Bay Area general dentist, many patients with gum disease require more specialized care than what a general dentist can offer. Indeed, periodontists are the dentists of choice for treating patients with gum disease, and the city of San Jose happens to be home to some of the finest periodontists in the nation.
A periodontist’s specialized training is what makes him or her an expert at diagnosing and treating gum disease. While all dentists are required to complete four years of dental school, periodontists continue their professional studies by completing a demanding, full-time, three-year residency in periodontics.
So, what can a periodontist offer you? First and foremost, periodontists are expert diagnosticians for all health problems related to the gums. They possess a deep understanding of soft and hard tissue (e.g. gum and jaw bone) anatomy and physiology. They have a detailed knowledge of the bacterial, viral, and fungal microorganisms that cause gum disease. Periodontists understand how lifestyle factors, such as diet and stress, as well as prescription medications and supplements affect gum health. Conversely, periodontists know how the health of the gums impacts the health of the body outside of the oral cavity.
Of course, periodontists are also experts at treating gum disease. Today’s high tech practice environment enables the periodontist to do more than ever to restore and optimize gum health.
While periodontists perform a wide array of surgical procedures, restoration of soft and hard tissue and placement of dental implants, are among the most common treatments.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth designed to look and function like a real tooth. Patients who are to receive a dental implant must have adequate bone and gum support for the tooth. When either of these is deficient, a periodontist can surgically place gum grafts or bone grafts to ensure the newly implanted tooth has appropriate functional support and pleasing aesthetics.
To ensure patient comfort, most periodontal procedures are performed under topical or local anesthesia.
