Periodontist
Periodontist is a dentist who deals with dental treatment, mainly periodontal diseases (tooth tissues that surround it and provide reliable fixation). Let's consider who is a periodontist, what is included in his duties and when it should be treated.
Periodontist is a high-class specialist who studies, diagnoses and treats periodontal disease. The parodontium is a periodontal tissue, that is, the gum, the jawbone and the ligament of the tooth.
In addition to periodontitis, the periodontist treats gingivitis. With this disease, there is swelling and discoloration of the gums, bleeding, bad breath and painful sensations - itching, pain and burning in the gums. To cure the disease, the periodontist should diagnose it. For this, there are special methods and visual inspection. If the disease is at an early stage, the periodontist removes plaque, cleans the stones in the pockets of the gums and smooths the surface of the root of the tooth. If the disease is at a late stage, then the doctor performs surgical treatment.
Who is the periodontist?
Who is a periodontist is a doctor who treats periodontal and other dental diseases. The activity of the periodontist consists of three main stages:
- The initial stage - visual inspection, diagnosis and analysis.
- Surgical stage - treatment of the disease.
- Prophylactic stage - at this stage is supportive therapy.
In addition, the periodontist should be a qualified specialist and have the knowledge to choose suitable antibiotics. The doctor has the right to use resuscitation drugs and dental equipment in his work.
When should I go to the periodontist?
When you should go to the periodontist - for any disease of the oral cavity. Do not be superfluous and preventive examinations with a doctor. The periodontist will be able to diagnose early signs of the disease and prevent its appearance.
Periodontal care is also needed in case of denudation of the neck of the teeth, redness and bleeding gums, the appearance of bad breath and unpleasant aftertaste. The doctor will help to cure suppuration and changes in the angle of the teeth (due to inflammation and destruction of periodontal tissue, that is, the periodontal tissue due to infection). Regular examinations at the periodontist will protect your teeth and gums from periodontal and other dangerous diseases.
What tests do you need to pass to a periodontist?
If you are going to an appointment in dentistry, then it will be helpful for you to find out about what tests are needed when referring to the periodontist.
- General clinical and biochemical analysis of blood.
- Immunogram - an analysis to assess the state of the immune system (conducted through the study of venous blood).
- An analysis of the vitality of leukocytes is the determination of the viability of leukocytes by studying the activity of (phagocytic) cells.
- Rotter's test - allows to determine the level of saturation of the body with vitamin C, that is ascorbic acid. To perform this analysis, a drop of a special reagent solution is applied to the back of the tongue with a needle for injection. If the stain disappears after 15 or more seconds, then this indicates a deficiency of ascorbic acid in the body. The lack of this substance is the cause of tooth loss.
- Evaluation of the activity of proteolysis - the study of the process of decomposition of proteins into enzymes.
- Imprints and smears of the oral mucosa.
- Microbiological methods.
What diagnostic methods does the periodontist use?
To determine the disease, each doctor uses certain methods and technologies. Let's consider what diagnostic methods the periodontist uses.
- Visual inspection - preventive examinations at the dentist are recommended to be carried out every six months. Such frequent visits to dentistry are a pledge of healthy gums and teeth. With a visual examination, the periodontist can diagnose the first symptoms of gum disease, assess the mobility of the teeth and the condition of the oral mucosa. Visual inspection also reveals carious cavities.
- Radiography - allows to identify lesions of gums and bone tissues of the jaw.
In addition to the standard methods of diagnosis, the periodontist uses a system of indices, which allows you to assess the periodontal conditions. The main types of indices used are:
- Hygiene of the oral cavity, that is, evaluation of the presence (condition) of tartar and plaque.
- Inflammation (periodontitis, gingivitis, periodontitis).
- Combined diagnostics.
What does the periodontist do?
What the periodontist is engaged in - the doctor studies the periodontal tissues, treats and prevents periodontal diseases. The work of the doctor depends on the purpose with which the patient addressed. So, some patients need a preventive examination and recommendations for the prevention of dental diseases and proper oral hygiene. For others, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of the oral cavity, identify the causes of periodontal disease and develop effective methods of treatment.
To accurately determine the disease and the appointment of an effective treatment, the periodontist uses various diagnostic methods and tests. Due to this, the doctor can recognize the symptoms of the disease at an early stage. The parodontist treats periodontal diseases, removes dental calculi and plaque from the gingival pockets and teeth. In the competence of the doctor, the use of medicines, both for prevention and for the treatment of diseases.
What diseases does the periodontist cure?
Periodontist is a dentist who specializes in periodontics. Let's consider what diseases the periodontist treats.
- Periodontitis is a chronic disease that has a wavy course (unexpected relapses and fading). During the period of the disease, inflammatory and infectious processes occur in the oral cavity, which destructively affect the condition of the teeth and gums.
- Parodontosis is a non-inflammatory disease that affects periodontal tissues, that is, periodontium.
- Gingivitis (ulcerative-necrotic gingivitis) is an inflammation of the gums.
- The root cyst of the tooth is a new growth that appears at the apex of the root of the tooth due to infection in the root canals of the tooth.
Tips for a periodontist doctor
Recommendations and advice of a periodontist doctor are practical methods for dental care and prevention of diseases of the oral cavity. Here are some of them:
- The most effective prevention of periodontitis is compliance with oral hygiene. This suggests that you need to take care of your teeth throughout your life. Brush your teeth twice a day, do not forget about the use of dental floss. After eating, the mouth is recommended to rinse with water, so that the rest of the food does not stay on the teeth and gums.
- The toothbrush should have rounded ends and soft bristles. This will gently clean the teeth from the plaque, without damaging the gum. Change the brush every two to four months.
- Dental floss is an effective method in the fight for oral hygiene. With the help of a thread, you can get rid of the plaque between the teeth where the toothbrush does not reach.
- Choose a high-quality toothpaste that will reliably clean teeth, provide preventive action and prevent a number of dental diseases.
Periodontist is a professional dentist whose main job is to treat periodontal lesions. Regular check-ups at the periodontist and hygiene of the oral cavity will protect your teeth and gums from various diseases.
Medical expert editor
Portnov Alexey Alexandrovich
Education: Kiev National Medical University. A.A. Bogomolets, Specialty - "General Medicine"
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