The Difference Between a Dentist and a Periodontist

When you have a cavity or just need your teeth to be cleaned, you probably schedule an appointment with your dentist. Most people see their dentist every six months or so for check-ups and cleanings. Your dentist can also provide you with whitening treatments as well as basic tooth extractions when necessary. 

When you need more than a simple procedure because of an issue with your gums or the bones in your mouth this is when you will want to see a periodontist instead. Your dentist may also refer you to a periodontist if they believe you are at higher risk for developing periodontal disease.

Gum Disease and Periodontitis

Usually a periodontist is the one who will diagnose gum disease in its many stages and then take measures to treat it. A leading periodontist, like Dr. Marichia Attalla, is a specialized type of dentist. A periodontist performs more complex types or oral care and surgery that usually also involve your gums. Periodontists have extended educations in which they study the periodontium, which is the soft tissue in your mouth as well as the bones of your jaw. It is this knowledge and work with the gums that is the main distinction between a dentist and periodontist.

General dentists can help to prevent gum disease with regular cleanings, but a periodontist is needed as the condition advances. Periodontists can perform two highly beneficial deep cleaning procedures called scaling and root-planing. Both of these procedures are non-surgical and effective at treating gingivitis.

Scaling removes tartar build-up and root-planing actually smooths out rough patches on your teeth where bacteria is inclined to become trapped. It's harder for smoother teeth to become home to bacteria and this can stop gum disease in its tracks and prevent it from resurfacing in the future.

Leaving gum disease untreated causes it to evolve into gingivitis and then periodontal disease. A periodontist specializes in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis. Periodontitis is the most advanced stage and it affects your teeth, your gums and ultimately your bones. Studies have indicated a link between periodontal disease and other conditions like diabetes and heart disease. The condition of your teeth and gums has far-reaching repercussions on the rest of your body and your overall health.

A periodontist also comes into play if there is already extensive damage to your gums in the form of deep pockets or recession. Because of the involvement of more than just your teeth, periodontal disease is beyond the scope of your regular dentist. In the worst case scenario, the gum degradation and bone loss can result in the loss of teeth. Periodontists also deal a lot with dental implants and other work to repair the damage caused by periodontal disease.

When You Should See A Periodontist

If you have a toothache, you can usually just see your dentist and he or she can determine the cause of the issue and remedy it. If your gums hurt though, you'll want to see a periodontist. Red, swollen and bleeding gums are indicators of worsening gum disease. If you have any sort of jaw pain associated with tooth pain or you notice that a tooth is becoming loose, you'll definitely want to see a periodontist.

Receding gums are also treated by periodontists. This condition is fairly common and has many different causes. It can lead to unsightly changes in your smile as well as sensitivity to hot and cold foods. As your gums recede, the roots of your teeth begin to be exposed, which causes the sensitivity. Dr. Marichia Attalla provides a simple outpatient surgery known as gum grafting in order to reverse this gum condition.

Along with reversing gum damage, a periodontist can reverse bone damage as well. Periodontitis causes your immune system to actually begin eating away at your own bones as it tries to fight the bacterial infection that has invaded. This leads to bone loss, which loosens the sockets of your teeth. The bone can be regrown with bone grafting. Sometimes bone grafting is needed before implants can be inserted to be replace lost teeth.

Periodontists also deal with lost teeth. When you've lost a tooth or teeth due to an injury, accident or periodontal disease, you become quickly aware of how much it affects your smile, as well as how you speak and how you eat. Dental implants provided by periodontists are prosthetic teeth that improve your health as well as the aesthetics of your smile. Periodontists utilize the latest technology and techniques to replace a tooth, a bridge or even a whole set of teeth as an alternative to dentures.

Dental implants improve your well-being as well as your cosmetics. Gum grafting is also two-fold in the same manner. Some periodontists perform some additional cosmetic treatments as well. For people with overly "gummy" smiles there is a procedure called cosmetic crown lengthening, which is essentially the opposite of gum grafting. Instead of adding gum tissue, excess gum tissue is removed in order to make small teeth look larger. This procedure is also used when your periodontist needs access to the roots of your teeth.

Dr. Marichia Attalla is a leading Periodontist in Nassau County NY.