Periodontology is the study of the supporting structures for teeth and the diseases and conditions that affect them. A periodontist treats the gums, jaw bone, and ligaments that support the teeth. The most common issue with these supporting structures is periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease.
What exactly does a periodontist do?
You might know that a periodontist is a specialist who performs procedures specific to gum disease and dental implants.
What degree does a periodontist have?
Education and Certification
Periodontists must complete a four-year undergraduate college degree, then graduate from an accredited dental school with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) degree.
What subjects are needed to become a periodontist?
Pursue a bachelor’s degree.
You don’t necessarily need to focus on pre-medicine, biology, or other scientific fields, but they may help you get into and excel at dental school. Consider taking courses in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and anatomy once you decide to pursue periodontics.
Is a periodontist a medical doctor?
A periodontist’s education begins with dental school. There they receive a doctor of dental surgery or doctor of medicine in dentistry degree. After graduating, the doctor continues specialized training.
What type of procedures does a periodontist perform?
Periodontists offer a wide range of treatments, such as scaling and root planing (the cleaning of infected root surfaces), root surface debridement (the removal of damaged tissue), and regenerative procedures (the reversal of lost bone and tissue).
Can periodontist do bone grafts?
If you have severe gum disease known as periodontitis, you may have lost some of the bone that holds your teeth in place. Your dentist or a gum disease specialist (periodontist) may suggest a bone graft. Bone grafts can help grow new bone to replace the bone destroyed by periodontitis.
Is a periodontist a surgeon?
While oral surgeons specialize in the surgical side of dentistry, a periodontist has advanced surgical training in Implant Dentistry, and is trained to improve oral health less invasively and without the need for advanced surgical procedures.
Can a periodontist do a root canal?
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.
Is it worth it to become a periodontist?
Yes, periodontics is worth it. Not only does periodontics fight gum disease, but it can save or restore your smile so you feel confident. If left untreated, gum disease can cause: Bone loss.
What is the difference between periodontist and dentist?
In the simplest terms, a dentist treats the teeth, gums, and other areas of the mouth while a periodontist only treats the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. The periodontist typically sees severe, complex cases that require a specialist rather than having the patient see a general dentist.
How many hours do periodontists work?
Periodontists work 40 hours per week from Monday to Friday between 9 and 5. They may be required to work additional hours in the late evenings and over the weekends depending on their patients’ schedules.
What do Prosthodontists do?
They specialize in treating and handling dental and facial problems that involve restoring missing tooth and jaw structures. A prosthodontist is highly trained in cosmetics, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ/TMD), and more.
Can a 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.
Can a periodontist do oral surgery?
This dental professional can also perform oral surgery. However, the practice is only limited to the soft and hard tissues in the mouth. Periodontists are responsible for looking after your gums and making sure that they function accordingly in supporting your teeth.
Do periodontists do crowns?
In addition to performing surgical procedures to restore teeth and gums due to severe gum diseases, periodontists also specialize in cosmetic procedures. These treatments help restore a patient’s natural smile: Gummy Smiles — periodontists specialize in lengthening dental crowns and fixing uneven gum lines.