Table of contents
- What is a periodontist?
- Why have I been referred to a periodontist?
- Can you cure gum/periodontal disease?
- What if I leave my gum disease untreated?
What is a periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who specialises in treating gum conditions. Periodontists work by identifying the type of bacterial infection responsible for the problem, prescribing a treatment plan, and providing information on good dental hygiene.
Since gum conditions can range from mild to severe, periodontists create treatment plans that not only manage existing gum conditions but also prevent them from occurring in the future.
Periodontists can carry out non-surgical and surgical treatments. Some of these include scaling, grafting, and gum grafts.
On some occasions, periodontal disease can be treated by a regular dentist or hygienist. However, if your condition has not responded well to past treatment or if it is severe or extensive, you may benefit from a referral to someone who can provide more advanced care.
Here at RW Perio, our wealth of experience allows us to treat even the most advanced cases of gum diseases. To find out more about how we can help you, click here!
Why have I been referred to a periodontist?
Your dentist may have referred you to a periodontist if they are unable to adequately heal your infection. This could be due to a bacterial infection, or any underlying infections that you may have which would make collaboration with a periodontist the most optimal healthcare treatment for you.
These could include any of the following:
- Early onset of periodontal diseases (prior to the age of 35)
- Unresolved inflammation at any site (e.g., bleeding upon probing, pus, and/or redness)
- Pocket depths >5 mm
- Vertical bone defects
- Radiographic evidence of progressive bone loss
- Progressive tooth mobility
- Progressive attachment loss
- Anatomic gingival deformities
- Exposed root surfaces
- A deteriorating risk profile
Can you cure gum/periodontal disease?
You can never really ‘cure’ gum/periodontal disease, but you can treat and stabilise it. Once treated and the gums are healthy, you need to ensure life-long regular maintenance at home and with your hygienist to ensure you minimize any chances of relapse.
Here at RW Perio, we work with you to provide a long-term hygiene and treatment plan that allows you to manage your gum disease. To find out more about how to maintain healthy gums, check out our 10-step guide to healthy gums here!
What if I leave my gum disease untreated?
If your gum/periodontal condition is left untreated, this can result in your teeth loosening up and eventual tooth loss. Other associated symptoms may also start to develop, including bleeding gums, gum boils, bad breath, bad taste, and painful gums/teeth. You may get very little symptoms until it is advanced, so it is important to catch it early, as it’s a preventable and treatable condition.
To check whether you need to see a dentist, check out our recent article here!
Get in touch and start your journey to optimal gum health today!
The number one reason why people lose their teeth is not because of cavities but because of gum or periodontal disease. By reading this, you are already aware of how important your gums are, so let us help you achieve your smile goals.
When you don’t brush, floss or clean your teeth well enough, all the bacteria hang out along your gum line and creep below the edges. Within a week of poor home care and bad brushing and flossing, you will start to see swelling and redness on your gum. Our London Gum Specialist can help and assist you.
Truth is, we all have bacteria in our mouth but some people have bacteria that can be very aggressive and this bacterium is not controlled by regular brushing and flossing as it migrates down to the gum tissue. When the immune system tries to remove this bacterium, sometimes bones can be lost from around the teeth as well. When this happens, you may have to be referred to a gum specialist. Our gum specialists at RW Perio focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases and are committed to ensuring that you are comfortable throughout your treatment.
Consultation
It is recommended that you visit your dentist every six months for regular checkups and routine teeth cleaning. If it has been six months since your last dental checkup, it’s time to visit your gum specialist or dentist. Understand that we are committed to providing you and your household with safe and high-quality dental care.
You may need to meet with your dentist and discuss your individual treatment plan, and help you answer any questions that you may have. You do not need to feel anxious about seeing a gum specialist. It is your gum specialist’s goal to make you feel comfortable visiting the clinic while providing the best care possible. Appointments at the clinic may last between 45 to 90 minutes.
Periodontal therapy
Depending on how severe your gum or periodontal disease is, you will need some kind of therapy. For instance, you may need to do a deep cleaning. Deep cleaning is done in two visits, focusing on one side of the mouth at a time. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, there are a number of methods to help you get the cure for the problem. Invasive options which are normally non-surgical can help clean your teeth and strengthen your gum.
One of those options includes scaling and root planning which involves the use of an ultrasound cleaning device. This device is used to remove plaque from your teeth and in areas such as the gum line and the root of the tooth. To get a healthy clean surface, the rough surface of the tooth and its root are planed or smoothed out. Scaling and root planning may be the only treatment you need if you address your gum diseases before they become severe. After a successful process, be sure to properly clean your teeth to avoid developing gum diseases again and again.
After getting gum treatment you will visit the gum specialist again after 4-6 weeks and they will reevaluate your gum maybe when you’re clean you can do a six-month visit to the clinic.
Periodontal maintenance cleaning
If your periodontal disease is very severe and to avoid extractions, your dentist or gum specialist might be able to add to the supportive tissues around your tooth by placing a graft or using a laser for periodontal regeneration. These are normally used for people with very aggressive periodontal disease.
Surgical treatment options are available to prevent severe damage and restore a healthy smile. Your teeth are firmly surrounded by gum tissues that are damaged by periodontal diseases and flap surgery may help. During the process, the gum tissue is folded back and bacteria hiding underneath is removed. Tissues that are too damaged to survive are then removed as the healthy tissue is sewn back into place. Bone and tissues supporting the teeth which have been lost due to severe gum disease can also be restored through a regeneration procedure. Otherwise, performing a bone graft to help renew bone growth can be an option.
As gums recede, more of the roots are revealed which can make the teeth appear longer and can also create teeth sensitivity to hot and cold liquids. Another procedure that can be used to help solve this aspect of periodontal disease is the soft-tissue graft, although it can also be performed for cosmetic reasons. This procedure involves covering the roots and restoring the gum line to its original healthy location.
After your deep cleaning is completed, you want to see your dentist for maintenance cleaning for about 3-4 months to prevent a relapse of symptoms.
Proper Homecare
Clean your teeth as often as you can while listening to the exact homecare instructions your gum specialist recommended for you and what they felt is best for your individual routine. Commit to brushing at least two times a day. It is not a one-size-fits-all and everyone will differ in the type of home care.
In order to prevent the build-up of plaque and cavities, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces. Be sure to brush the top surface of your tongue as this will remove extra food particles while helping you keep a fresh breath.
Extra Medication
In order to proudly achieve beautiful smiles and beautiful natural smiles and the benefits that come with them, your gum specialist will take you through maintenance treatments for optimal dental health. Some forms of medication may include, tray whitening teeth whitening strips and paint-on teeth whitening. Professional tray whitening usually takes ten to fourteen days to show results although you may notice results within three to five days. The least expensive options are toothpaste and mouth wash which are designed to have whitening capabilities as they are designed to remove surface stains using mild abrasives. Use of medication such as antibiotics or mouthwash may be prescribed for treatment along with other forms of treatment. Cosmetic dentistry is different from the general dental care that your gum specialist may offer.
Contact us
Many are anxious when it comes to contacting a gum specialist who can provide the care and support needed for a healthy smile. If you would want to schedule an appointment for your teeth whitening and gum disease treatment, contact a gum specialist or a dentist from our clinic. Using our online booking system will be an added advantage to getting a quicker response from our professional gum specialist.
