Periodontal Dentist in Los Angeles

Dentistry, the study, prevention, and treatment of diseases in the oral cavity, has a long, winding history, almost as long as mankind’s. The earliest hint of dentistry dates as far back as 7000 B.C., making it one of the earliest specializations in the medical field. Beyond general dentistry arrived more specializations within the field, including periodontal and endodontic dentistry. With these specializations, dentistry and treatment options have grown immensely.

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The First Dentistry School

On February 21st, 1828, the first dental school was opened in Bainbridge, Ohio. Started by Dr. John M. Harris, the school put dentistry on the map as a top health profession. Today, the school remains open as a museum of dentistry history.

Beyond Bainbridge, a second school, and the first official dentistry college, was opened in 1840 in Baltimore – the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, and a third in Philadelphia in 1852 — the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery.

These schools aided in dentistry being seen as a serious career choice. It also aided in providing the effective and attentive education that one needed going into the profession. Not only was dentistry separating itself as an important sector of the medical field, it was claiming its needs as a highly regarded and unique profession.

Specialized Dentistry

Within the dentistry field grew specialized positions meant to target certain aspects of dentistry that required further education. While general dentists handle most common dental needs, these certain specialized professions are able to focus on a minute detail or issue with the oral cavity and provide the most effective treatment. Endoodontics and periodontics are the two most common.

Dentist Vs. Endodontist

The difference between a dentist and an endodontist is that a dentist provides all general dentist care — preventive care, and dental hygiene, while an endodontist specializes in treatment of the dental pulp. A general dentist will focus on cleaning the patients’ teeth by general hygiene treatment of teeth and gums, fill cavities, and determine whether or not a patient needs more specialized work, like a root canal. That’s where an endodontist comes in. An endodontist takes care of more serious matter regarding the nerves and inner workings of a tooth. While endodontists have the same education and are able to perform everything a general dentist would, they are required to complete an additional two years of education in order to be certified as a specialist.

What Is A Periodontist?

A periodontal dentist, or a periodontist, is a dentist that specializes in the treatment of gum disease. A periodontal dentist in Los Angeles will also look at the structure of teeth and their surrounding conditions (as mentioned, namely gum disease) and can determine whether or not an implant is necessary within your oral cavity. Periodontists are highly adept at determining and treating oral inflammation as well, such as gingivitis. Another gum infection that periodontists treat is periodontitis. Similar to gingivitis, there may be signs of inflammation such as redness and swelling, but this gum disease can also go so far as to cause tooth loss or increase heart attack. When gingivitis goes untreated, it may lead to periodontitis and cause damage to the soft tissue and any supportive bone that your teeth need to thrive.