Can a regular dentist treat periodontal disease?

While a general dentist can treat gum disease with cleanings, and scaling and root planing, a periodontist can treat advanced periodontal disease cases that a general dentist cannot.

What kind of dentist treats periodontitis?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease. They also help you manage signs of advancing gum problems like oral inflammation. Gum disease happens when the tissue around your teeth gets infected, causing inflammation.

Can a general dentist do scaling and root planing?

General dentists can perform both the scaling and root planing parts of the procedure. Some dentists may recommend their patients see a periodontist if their teeth are in need of more work. If your dentist recommends a periodontist, it is worthwhile to ask why.

When should I see a dentist or 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.

Can I go straight to a periodontist?

Your dentist can refer you to a specialist if they think you need extra treatment. You might sometimes want to go straight to a periodontist, such as when you're interested in dental implants. Familiarizing yourself with the different types of dentist will help you get the best treatment.

Periodontitis and its influence on health - How is periodontal disease treated? ©

Can a general dentist do gum surgery?

While oral surgeons often perform surgical procedures on patients to improve their overall oral health, general dentists can also perform surgery on their patients. This is convenient for patients who would rather have their primary dentist perform any necessary oral surgeries.

What is the main cause of periodontal disease?

Overview. Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden.

Can periodontitis be cured?

Periodontitis can only be treated but cannot be cured. Gingivitis, on the other hand, can be prevented by maintaining proper oral hygiene practices and visiting the dentist for checkups and exams.

Does a periodontist do deep cleaning?

During a deep cleaning, the periodontist will use a probe to measure your gum pockets. Pockets are spaces between your gums and teeth that are wider than five millimeters. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, everyone should have their gums examined by a dentist at least once a year.

Can a dentist treat receding gums?

Receding gums treatment for mild cases can be effectively treated by your dentist and hygienist i.e. you will be prescribed a course of deep cleaning (also known as tooth scaling and root planing) to get rid of plaque and tartar build-up below the gum line, so your gums can heal.

Do gums reattach after deep cleaning?

While any gum loss experienced due to gum disease will not grow back, the majority of patients can expect their gums to reattach after undergoing a deep cleaning. This is because all of the harmful bacteria has been removed, allowing the gums to once again be healthy.

Do gums grow back after scaling?

In gum disease, the gums recede away from teeth due to the buildup of excess bacteria. Gums can tighten around teeth following scaling; however, gum tissue does not regenerate or fully grow back like other tissues such as that in the skin.

Do I really need periodontal treatment?

If your visit to the dentist reveals significant pockets- those 4mm or greater, then you are at risk for (or in the stages of), periodontal disease. This makes you a candidate for the therapy (a deep teeth cleaning) and it is highly recommended if you want to stop and prevent the progression of the disease.

What does the dentist do for periodontal disease?

If you have advanced periodontitis, treatment may require dental surgery, such as: Flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery). 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.

What does a periodontist dentist do?

Periodontists: Periodontal & Dental Implant Specialists

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease (a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth also known as gum disease), and in the placement of dental implants.

What's the difference between a periodontist and an endodontist?

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.

Can teeth fall out after deep cleaning?

It's very unlikely your teeth will fall out after having them deep cleaned. Some people may find that their teeth feel looser after having the treatment. This is because removing the tartar from the pockets between the gums and teeth creates a gap between the two, which can cause the teeth to feel loose.

How do you clean underneath your gum line?

Mouthwash – Rinsing with mouthwash can remove bacteria from the mouth, including around the teeth and the gums, and below the gum line. You should move the mouthwash around the mouth for at least 30 seconds before spitting it out. You should use mouthwash once a day.

How painful is deep cleaning of teeth?

Is deep cleaning painful? Teeth scaling and root planing can cause some discomfort, so you'll receive a topical or local anesthetic to numb your gums. You can expect some sensitivity after your treatment. Your gums might swell, and you might have minor bleeding, too.

How quickly does periodontitis progress?

Slight Periodontal Disease

During the early gingivitis stages, gum inflammation can occur in as little as five days. Within two to three weeks, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease.

Can you live with periodontal disease?

Living with periodontal disease can cause aesthetic complications and bone loss of a serious nature. Unlike other injuries, periodontal disease does not cause any pain. It is a silent disease when the teeth gum becomes inflamed and bleeds.

Can loose teeth from periodontal disease be fixed?

Fortunately, treatment for loose teeth, especially effective tooth splinting by a qualified dentist, can help repair the damage- and in many cases even help the tooth tighten back up naturally.

What are the 4 stages of periodontal disease?

Which toothpaste is best for periodontal disease?

Use Corsodyl Toothpaste, which physically removes the build of plaque bacteria along the gum line, helping to keep the seal between your gums and teeth tight. When used to brush twice daily it is 4x more effective* than a regular toothpaste at removing the main cause of bleeding gums.

Is aggressive periodontitis painful?

The bacterial inflammation causes teeth to lose support. Eventually the teeth will become loose and fall out. Sometimes the infection becomes so severe that it can cause a tooth abscess. This can be quite painful.