What is a periodontist?

What is a periodontist?

Cleveland Clinic describes a periodontist as a gum specialist who treats the tissues that support your teeth, including your gums and jawbone, and says periodontics is a dental specialty. The American Academy of Periodontology says a periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease and in the placement of dental implants. Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gums and the bone supporting the teeth.

What does a periodontist do?

Cleveland Clinic lists these services:

• Periodontal maintenance, a cleaning that also checks gum health and measures pocket depth, often needed every three to four months.
• Scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning under local anesthesia, often recommended for early-stage gum disease.
• Periodontal surgery, including pocket reduction (gingival flap surgery) for moderate to severe gum disease, gum grafts for recession, tooth extractions, bone grafts, crown lengthening, smile lifts and frenectomies.
• Dental implant placement, which many periodontists offer, though oral surgeons and some general dentists do too. Most offer sedation options.

What conditions do they treat?

Cleveland Clinic says periodontists treat conditions of the periodontium, which includes the gums, periodontal ligament, cementum on tooth roots and alveolar bone, such as bone loss, gum recession and periodontal disease. See our guides on gum disease and receding gums.

How long do periodontists train?

Cleveland Clinic says that after four years of dental school a periodontist completes three more years of focused training. The American Academy of Periodontology says a specialist typically has four years of college, four years of dental school and at least three years of advanced periodontal and implant training. Both sources say three years, and training involves surgical as well as nonsurgical work, which is why implants and grafts are part of the specialty.

When to see a periodontist

Cleveland Clinic says to see one for a temporary need such as a gum graft, bone graft or frenectomy, which is outside a general dentist's scope, or for long-term care if you are prone to gum disease, usually alongside your general dentist. The academy says a general dentist may refer you for moderate or severe gum disease with bleeding, swollen or receding gums, loose teeth, a bite change or pain, for a personal or family history of conditions such as heart disease, stroke or diabetes, for smoking, or for needs like multiple implants, limited jawbone or an implant near the sinus.

Periodontist or general dentist?

Cleveland Clinic says a general dentist usually makes the referral and that after surgery a periodontist can send you back to your general dentist once you have recovered. A general dentist can clean teeth and detect gum disease, and a periodontist takes on surgery and complex cases. Our guide on what a periodontist does covers the details, and the periodontist hub covers other questions.

What a periodontal cleaning is

Cleveland Clinic describes periodontal maintenance as a cleaning that checks gum health and measures pocket depth, and scaling and root planing as a deep cleaning. The academy describes scaling and root planing as cleaning infected root surfaces. NIDCR says tartar can only be removed by a professional cleaning.

What to expect at a first visit

A first appointment usually reviews your health history and medicines, examines your gums and teeth, and measures the pockets around each tooth to see how far gum disease has progressed. Cleveland Clinic says periodontal maintenance measures pocket depth, and the academy lists smoking, heart disease, stroke and diabetes as factors a periodontist considers, so bring a list of your conditions and medicines. If you are referred, ask your general dentist to send X-rays and notes beforehand, and ask what the periodontist is expected to treat so you know what to ask.

Questions to ask your dentist

Ask whether you need a specialist and why.

• Do I have gum disease, and how advanced is it?
• Could I be treated by you, or do I need a periodontist?
• What will the periodontist do and how many visits will it take?
• How often will I need maintenance cleanings afterwards?
• How do my smoking, diabetes or family history affect my gums?

Frequently asked questions