Periodontist - A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas.including three (3) additional years of education beyond dental school.,
Specializing in Periodontal Treatment.
Periodontal diseases are bacterial gum infections that destroy the attachment of fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. Several different treatments are available to help restore and maintain your gums.
Initial Treatment for periodontal disease usually involves scaling and root planing (this can also be called a deep cleaning or quadrants) and sometimes periodontal surgery. Once this disease is brought under control, it is CRITICAL that periodontal maintenance procedures be performed on a regular basis by your dentist or hygienist.
Performing daily oral hygiene at home is a "must" but it is not enough to keep periodontal disease in check. Periodontal maintenance is more complex than a normal cleaning or "prophy". Patients who have periodontal disease or a history of such, require a deeper cleaning because they have "pockets", spaces between the teeth and gums, deeper than those found in a person with healthy gums. The procedure removes plaque and calculus from above and below the gum line. It may also include site-specific scaling and root planing and polishing the teeth.
If you have gum disease and have had scaling and root planing and/or periodontal surgery, the regular cleanings that will be recommended to you after those treatments are called periodontal maintenance therapy.
Reviews, get directions and information Dr. John R. Wheless, III, DDS.
