When should you refer to a periodontist? Your dentist may refer you to see a Periodontist because they have determined that periodontal disease is present. Periodontal disease is diagnosed by close examination of the teeth and gums.
Why would someone be referred to a periodontist? Periodontal means having to do with the tissues around your teeth & periodontitis means infection of the tissues around your teeth. Dentist usually refer patients to a periodontist because they have periodontal disease, also known as gum disease.
Do you have to be referred to a periodontist? Of course, you don’t need a referral to see a periodontist. You can make an appointment with one for another opinion about your diagnosis and recommended treatment plan. If you choose to see a periodontist, make sure they have access to all your dental and medical records, as well as your past health history.
Can you see a periodontist without referral? Your general dentist or a hygienist may recommend a consultation with a periodontist if they find signs of periodontal disease through the course of a checkup or other dental care appointment. You may also decide to see a periodontist on your own as a referral is not necessary to be seen at our office.
When should you refer to a periodontist? – Related Questions
What type of procedures does a periodontist perform?
Periodontists offer a wide range of treatments, such as scaling and root planing (the cleaning of infected root surfaces), root surface debridement (the removal of damaged tissue), and regenerative procedures (the reversal of lost bone and tissue).
What can I expect at a periodontist consultation?
You can also expect the periodontist to perform a brief dental examination to add his or her notes to your medical file. This examination generally begins with a look at your head, neck, and jaw for any signs of temporomandibular joint disorder. He or she will then examine your mouth, teeth, throat, and gums.
Can my doctor refer me to a periodontist?
Anyone exhibiting signs of gum disease should schedule an appointment with a periodontist. Your dentist may refer you to a periodontist if they are unable to treat you. If you are under age 35 and have deeper gum pockets than normal, your dentist may suggest you see a periodontist.
Can a periodontist do a root canal?
Both of these professionals are specialists in the field of dentistry. Periodontists are concerned with the health of gums and treating gum disease and inflammation. On the other hand, Endodontists specialize in tooth roots and oral pain. Patients are most commonly referred to them for a complicated root canal.
What is a periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation.
Are you put to sleep for gum surgery?
Most gum surgery procedures take around 2 hours to complete. In some cases, the surgery will require a person to be asleep or partially asleep during the procedure. Other times, the surgery only involves the use of a local anesthetic to numb the gums. The injection of the numbing medication can be mildly uncomfortable.
Is a periodontist better than a dentist?
Some dentists are experienced enough to manage mild periodontal needs, but if your case is more complex or you have moderate or severe periodontal disease, a periodontist is going to be better suited to treat your condition.
Can a periodontist do crowns?
Periodontists treat and diagnose gingivitis and periodontitis. They may also perform deep pocket cleanings, root planing, implant placement, crown lengthening procedures, soft tissue procedures or hard tissue recontouring.
How is gum disease caused?
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that contains bacteria. Some bacteria in plaque are harmless, but some are harmful for the health of your gums. If you do not remove plaque from your teeth by brushing them, it builds up and irritates your gums.
How does a periodontist treat gum disease?
Your periodontist makes tiny incisions in your gum so that a section of gum tissue can be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective scaling and root planing. Because periodontitis often causes bone loss, the underlying bone may be recontoured before the gum tissue is sutured back in place.
Is teeth scaling painful?
The short answer is no, the procedure is not painful. You will experience discomfort upon completion but the actual process can be completed with the administration of a local anesthetic to the soft tissue to minimize any unpleasant feelings during the process.
Does periodontitis go away?
Periodontal disease (infection of the gum tissue and bones surrounding teeth) is an increasing health risk which will not go away by itself, but requires professional treatment. Our Periodontal specialists are dedicated to saving teeth.
Can my teeth be saved if I have gum disease?
Your teeth may loosen or become misaligned as the gums have pulled away and bone loss has worsened. Professional treatment may save your teeth, but in some advanced cases, the teeth may need to be removed.
Why you should never get a root canal?
Root canals are performed when bacteria, introduced through a cavity or crack, compromise the nerves located inside the tooth. The bacteria cause an infection, which eventually kills the nerves. But root canals can be avoided, Teitelbaum says, in cases where the nerves are not yet infected.
What’s the difference between periodontist and endodontist?
Endodontists specialize in the soft inner tissue of the teeth, called the pulp. Orthodontic treatment can improve the health, appearance and lifespan of your teeth. Periodontists focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease.
What’s the difference between a periodontist and a periodontist?
In the simplest terms, a dentist treats the teeth, gums, and other areas of the mouth while a periodontist only treats the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. The periodontist typically sees severe, complex cases that require a specialist rather than having the patient see a general dentist.
What are the 4 stages of periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is broken up into four separate stages: gingivitis, slight periodontal disease, moderate periodontal disease, and advanced periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the only stage of periodontal disease that is reversible as it has not yet had time to attack the bones.
Do periodontist do implants?
Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of your dental implant team. Your dentist and periodontist will work together to make your dreams come true.
Are you awake during oral surgery?
You’re awake during the tooth extraction. Although you’ll feel some pressure and movement, you shouldn’t experience pain. Sedation anesthesia. Your dentist or oral surgeon gives you sedation anesthesia through an intravenous (IV) line in your arm.
How much does it cost to fix receding gums?
While this can vary depending on which dentist you see, the cost of gum disease treatment can cost up to $2,000, or even more. This means that the earlier you have the condition treated, the more money you’ll save. In many cases, you may need a gum tissue graft, which can cost between $1,600 and $2,000, if not more.
What is the most common periodontal disease?
Chronic periodontitis results in inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss. This is the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age.
