Beyond the Family Dentist: Meet Your Periodontist

Periodontists offer advanced, affordable dental care with a focus on preventing, diagnosing, and managing periodontal disease and performing dental implant surgeries and periodontal cosmetic procedures. Before becoming certified, periodontists must receive years of specialized training and experience. They are able to use the latest treatment techniques and technologies, and they are often sought for treatment of severe or complicated periodontal disease in patients with complex dental or medical histories. A periodontist is especially skilled in performing treatments like scaling, root planing, and root surface debridement.

Who Needs to See a Periodontist? While some people’s periodontal disease can be treated by family dentists, many benefit from the level of expertise offered by a periodontist. Research reveals a connection between periodontal disease and common age-related chronic diseases, so more severe cases are seen as life expectancies increase. Patients whose medical conditions may complicate their periodontal care should also see a periodontal specialist.

Your First Visit to the Periodontist. The first thing your periodontist will do is obtain your full medical and dental history. Be sure to bring a list of your current medications with you to the dental clinic. Tell your periodontist if you are pregnant or suffer from health conditions that affect periodontal care such as diabetes or heart disease. During your physical exam, the dentist will inspect your gums for inflammation and recession. A small instrument called a probe will be used to determine the depth of your periodontal pockets. X-rays are taken to determine the health of bone tissues below your gum line. After a thorough evaluation, your periodontist will discuss your diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan.

To find  trusted periodontists in Indiana, talk to your family dentist or consult your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Indiana, call Wadas Dental today or make an appointment.