A periodontist may be recommended to you by your dentist if you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from periodontal disease (gum disease). Specialists in this field have received additional training in order to assist patients with problems such as gum recession and tooth loss. Our periodontist office can provide you with the treatment you need in a supportive, reassuring environment. Find out how periodontal care can help you maintain a healthy smile.

What are the reasons I might need a periodontist?

Healthy teeth are maintained by maintaining good oral hygiene and attending regular dental appointments. However, extra care may be needed if you have symptoms of gum disease, such as:

• Plaque and tartar buildup
• Dark or bleeding gums
• Breath that is persistently bad

Untreated gum disease can worsen and lead to more serious problems.

Periodontal Care: What Is It?

Your specific treatment will depend on the severity of your condition and the symptoms you’re experiencing. Among the different services are:

• Periodontal Maintenance: When it comes to gum disease, prevention is the best policy. The periodontists at our office can develop an individualized care plan that includes regular oral examinations and dental cleanings to help patients preserve and maintain their teeth.
• Scaling and Root Planing: The first step in treating gum disease is scaling and root planing, a noninvasive procedure that may be able to reverse your condition in one visit. During this two-step procedure, plaque and tartar are removed from the gum line and the tooth root is smoothed out to allow the gums to reattach.
• Extractions and Dental Implants: When it is not possible to save a tooth, our periodontists can extract it and place a dental implant. Furthermore, they can provide dental implants that look and function like real teeth following the loss of a tooth. A titanium post is surgically implanted into the jawbone, and then a crown is placed on top of it.
• Bone Grafting, Bone Regeneration, and Ridge Preservation: A dental implant may not be able to be supported by the jawbone without bone grafting, bone regeneration, and ridge preservation. These cases – and others – may require specialized services in order to rebuild the bone. Unlike bone grafting, bone regeneration and ridge preservation involve encouraging the body to produce bone tissue naturally.
• Gum Grafting & Crown Lengthening: Gum recession can lead to exposed tooth roots, which can require gum grafting. In gum grafting, the missing tissue is replaced by a soft tissue graft. When there is too much gum tissue covering the teeth, crown lengthening may be performed to remove the excess tissue.

Our periodontist in Raleigh can assist you if you suspect that you have periodontal disease. Contact Tar Heel Periodontics and Implant Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.