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Strong and healthy gums are essential if you wish to enjoy your natural teeth for life. Unfortunately, gum or periodontal disease, a gum infection, is extremely common and is a frequent cause of tooth loss. Other conditions can affect the gums and jawbone and require the expert care of a periodontist.
We have an experienced periodontist on our dental team at My New Jersey Dentist who can provide expert periodontal care as and when required.
Periodontics is a dental specialty focusing on caring for and maintaining structures supporting your teeth. The word periodontics is derived from peri, meaning around, and odont, meaning tooth.
In addition to your gums, these include your jawbone, called alveolar bone, and periodontal ligaments. These ligaments are attached to your teeth and the bony sockets surrounding them. The ligaments are small shock absorbers, allowing teeth to absorb the forces created when you bite and chew while ensuring they remain firmly in their sockets.
Periodontal disease can destroy these structures, resulting in tooth loss. Other conditions can also require the expertise of a periodontist.
A periodontist is a dentist who has chosen to specialize in this field. After completing their general dentistry training, they will complete an additional three or four years of education. They receive advanced training in treating periodontal problems.
Most people don't realize they could benefit from periodontal care. Others might have noticed some concerning symptoms or are interested in treatments provided by a periodontist.
If you are concerned about your gum health, for example, you have noticed your gums have started to bleed, look inflamed and swollen, or have receded, you may benefit from seeing a periodontist at My New Jersey Dentist.
People enquiring about dental implants may be referred to see our periodontist to prepare their mouth for treatment, replacing missing jawbone and gum with the latest grafting techniques. These problems often come to light after an initial evaluation for dental implant treatment. A periodontist can also assist in preparing the mouth for implants by removing failing teeth while protecting and preserving the tissues around teeth.
Gummy Smiles
Anyone who has noticed their smile looks slightly gummy may wish to see a periodontist to discover if recontouring the gums could be the solution they need.
Periodontists provide surgical and non-surgical treatments. They are skilled in using the latest techniques and the most advanced technologies. A periodontist can provide a range of treatments, including:
If your gums are infected and you have signs of periodontal disease, it is best to see a periodontist for a full gum evaluation and suitable treatment
A periodontist can provide specialized treatment for periodontal disease beyond a general dentist's scope.
Periodontists are experts in removing teeth that are harder to extract. They can use special tooth extraction techniques and tools that minimize damage to the surrounding gum and bone. Gentle and expert tooth extraction is important when planning for dental implants.
Dental implants need strong and healthy gums and plenty of strong jawbone for treatment to be a success. A correctly contoured jawbone and gum tissue also help create a more pleasing aesthetic outcome.
A periodontist is experienced in planning and providing gum and bone grafting procedures before dental implant surgery.
Deep dental cleaning is often the first treatment for periodontal disease, removing bacteria from deep inside infected gums. Periodontists often prescribe this treatment to help eliminate or control advanced gum disease. Getting rid of the bacteria enables the gums to fight the infection more effectively.
Gum recession is a very common problem, and pinhole surgery is another advanced technique provided by periodontists to help rejuvenate gum tissue.
Cosmetic Gum Surgery
People with a gummy smile may need some gum tissue removed to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile. The procedure can also make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene.
Some people only need to see a periodontist for one or two appointments, such as gum recontouring. Others may require long-term periodontal care, for example, if they have gum disease, which can become chronic. In this case they will need to see a periodontist regularly to control periodontal disease and maintain optimal gum health.
Often, people are unaware they would benefit from seeing a dental specialist like a periodontist until after a dental exam. Conditions like periodontal disease are often silent in that they produce very few or no symptoms.
The cost depends on the treatment needed. A simple deep dental cleaning is affordable and most likely covered by dental insurance since it is needed to treat periodontitis. Other procedures, like treatment for a gummy smile, might not be covered since the results may be cosmetically oriented and not necessary for good gum health.
When you see our periodontist, we can provide a treatment plan with the estimated costs and help you determine if these might be covered by dental insurance or another healthcare policy.
If we suggest you see a periodontist for treatment, there is no need to be concerned. It merely ensures you receive the best and most appropriate dental care for your oral health needs. All our dental specialists liaise closely with our general and family dentists to help patients gain and maintain optimal oral care.
Some people might never need to see a periodontist, but it is reassuring to know that if periodontal care is required, you need look no further than My New Jersey Dentist.