Understand the difference between your general dentist and a periodontal specialist.
A General Dentist can treat gum disease through routine cleanings, scaling and deep cleaning. A General Dentist can even extract your cavity and prescribing antibiotic medications for pain management if needed. When to visit a General Dentist:
- Regular dentist check ups
- Bi-monthly cleaning
- Standard x-rays
- Filling cavities
- Root canals
- Standard tooth extractions
- Crown or bridges
- Some cosmetic procedures (bonding and whitening)
- Pediatric care
- Non-surgical periodontal care
A Periodontal Specialist has extended education in the periodontium which focuses on the soft tissues and bones. Periodontists are needed for advanced cases of gum diseases or periodontitis. They are often presented with bleeding gums, swollen gums, loose teeth and mouth pain. But since the main difference between a dentist and a Peridontist is the soft tissue specialty, your dentist might not be able to help you if your gums are in bad shape. Severe cases of periodontitis or gingivitis can lead to health problems like diabetes and heart diseases – and even cancer.
So how do you know when you need to see one or the other?
Here is a list of reasons to visit your Periodontist. When to visit a Periodontist:
- Deep pocket cleanings
- Bone grafting
- Soft tissue removal
- Root planting
- Dental implant replacement
- Crown lengthening
- Hard tissue re-contouring
- All implant dentistry options
