Can I go straight to a periodontist?

If you are concerned that you may have advanced periodontal disease or you already have systemic disease such as diabetes (an inability to metabolize sugar) or cardiovascular disease (“cardio” – heart; “vascular” – blood vessel), you may consider seeing a periodontist straight away.

Can I see a periodontist instead of a dentist?

Although a general dentist can perform the same procedures, a periodontist has the specialized training, advanced skills, and extensive experience. Keep reading for details on when to see a periodontist, how a periodontist can help, and how prompt care can minimize damage to your teeth and gums.

When should you go to a periodontist?

If you notice that your teeth seem to appear elongated or that your gums are receding at all, then you should schedule an appointment with a periodontist. Longer-looking and loose-feeling teeth can indicate recession of the gums and/or bone loss as a result of periodontal disease.

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 are 3 conditions that a periodontist may treat?

How do you know when it's the right time to send a patient to the periodontist?

Can you reverse deep gum pockets?

Periodontal pockets are a symptom of periodontitis (gum disease), a serious oral infection. Periodontal pockets can be treated and reversed with good oral hygiene or with dental treatment.

How do you get rid of deep pockets in gums?

What are the 4 stages of periodontal disease?

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 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.

Should I see a dentist or periodontist first?

In the course of a regular dental check up, if the general dentist or hygienist finds symptoms of gingivitis or rapidly progressing periodontal disease, a consultation with a periodontist may be recommended. However, a referral is not necessary for a periodontal consultation.

How does a periodontist fix receding gums?

Minor gum recession may be treated with a specialized deep cleaning known as root scaling and planing, which aims to reduce the size of pockets that develop in the gums. For cases of more advanced recession, dental surgery known as gum grafting can help to restore your smile and your oral health.

What can a periodontist do for bone loss?

Procedure: The periodontist administers a local anesthetic and gently opens the area. He then removes the periodontal disease, repairs the bone damage and fills in the damaged area with bone grafting material. This transparent view of the gums shows the bone loss that has occurred from periodontal disease.

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.

Do periodontists do root canals?

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.

Do periodontist extract teeth?

A periodontist will not only remove the tooth, but also be able to treat the damaged gum and bone tissue in order to stop the spread of infection. Of course, if injury or extensive decay makes tooth extraction necessary, a periodontist is still the one to trust.

Do periodontists check for cavities?

These include detecting and treating cavities, improving a patient's oral hygiene, and providing tooth replacement options for missing teeth or teeth that need to be removed.

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.

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.

Can gums recover from periodontal disease?

The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.

What happens if periodontitis is not treated?

Periodontitis (also called periodontal disease) is gum disease. This infection damages the soft tissue around your teeth and wears away the bone supporting them. If left untreated, the disease eventually ruins the bone, loosening the teeth and causing them to fall out.

How long does it take to fix periodontal disease?

The length of time it will take your gums to heal depends on the severity of your gum disease. It can take anywhere from 2 – 4 weeks, while deeper pockets can take months to completely heal. Because your mouth will be tender and inflamed, a soft food diet is advised for the first few days.

Does a Waterpik help with periodontal disease?

To help your oral hygiene routine at home and treat periodontal disease, using a water flosser can make a difference. Water flossers are easy to use and can reach up to 90% of your gum pocket. A water flosser can remove plaque and improve your gum health.

Can a Waterpik damage your gums?

3. Can a Water Flosser damage teeth or gums? Though some may find that their gums bleed when they first use one, a Water Flosser does not damage teeth or gums. It is gentle on the oral cavity and acts similar to flossing.

How long does it take for gingivitis to turn into periodontitis?

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.