Periodontist

A periodontist is a dentist who treats teeth, mainly periodontal diseases (the tissues of the tooth that surround it and provide reliable fixation). Let's consider who a periodontist is, what his responsibilities include, and when you should contact him.

A periodontist is a highly qualified specialist who studies, diagnoses and treats the periodontium. The periodontium is the tissue around the tooth, that is, the gums, jaw bones and dental ligaments.

In addition to periodontitis, a periodontist treats gingivitis. This disease causes swelling and discoloration of the gums, bleeding, bad breath, and painful sensations - itching, pain, and burning in the gums. To cure the disease, a periodontist must diagnose it. There are special methods and visual examination for this. If the disease is at an early stage, the periodontist removes plaque, cleans tartar in the gum pockets, and smoothes the surface of the tooth root. If the disease is at a late stage, the doctor performs surgical treatment.

Who is a periodontist?

Who is a periodontist? This is a doctor who deals with the treatment of periodontium and other dental diseases. The work of a periodontist consists of three main stages:

• The initial stage is a visual inspection, diagnostics and analysis.
• The surgical stage is the treatment of the disease.
• Preventive stage – at this stage, supportive therapy is provided.

In addition, the periodontist must be a qualified specialist and have the knowledge to select appropriate antibiotics. The doctor has the right to use resuscitation drugs and dental equipment in his work.

When should you see a periodontist?

When to see a periodontist - for any oral diseases. Preventive examinations by a doctor will not be superfluous. A periodontist will be able to diagnose early signs of the disease and prevent its occurrence.

The help of a periodontist is also necessary in case of exposed necks of teeth, reddening and bleeding gums, bad breath and unpleasant taste. The doctor will help to cure suppuration and change in the angle of inclination of teeth (occurs due to inflammation and destruction of the periodontium, i.e. the tissue around the tooth due to infection). Regular check-ups with a periodontist will protect your teeth and gums from periodontium and other dangerous diseases.

What tests should you take when visiting a periodontist?

If you are planning an appointment at the dentist, it will be useful for you to learn about what tests are needed when visiting a periodontist.

• General clinical and biochemical blood analysis.
• Immunogram is an analysis to assess the state of the immune system (carried out by studying venous blood).
• Leukocyte vitality analysis – determination of the viability of leukocytes by studying the activity (phagocytic) of the cells.
• Rotter's test - allows you to determine the level of saturation of the body with vitamin C, that is, ascorbic acid. To conduct this analysis, a drop of a special reagent solution is applied to the back of the tongue using an injection needle. If the spot disappears after 15 seconds or more, this indicates a deficiency of ascorbic acid in the body. A lack of this substance is the cause of tooth loss.
• Evaluation of proteolysis activity is the study of the process of protein breakdown into enzymes.
• Imprints and smears of the oral mucosa.
• Microbiological methods.

What diagnostic methods does a periodontist use?

To determine the disease, each doctor uses certain methods and technologies. Let's consider what diagnostic methods a periodontist uses.

• Visual examination – preventive examinations at the dentist are recommended to be carried out every six months. Such frequent visits to the dentist are the key to healthy gums and teeth. During 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. A visual examination also allows you to identify carious cavities.
• X-ray – allows to detect damage to the gums and jaw bone tissue.

In addition to standard diagnostic methods, the periodontist uses a system of indices that allows assessing the condition of the periodontium. The main types of indices used are:

• Oral hygiene, that is, assessment of the presence (condition) of tartar and plaque.
• Inflammation (periodontium, gingivitis, periodontosis).
• Combined diagnostics.

What does a periodontist do?

What does a periodontist do? The doctor studies periodontal tissues, treats and prevents periodontal diseases. The doctor's work depends on the purpose for which the patient came. Thus, some patients require a preventive examination and recommendations for preventing dental diseases and proper oral hygiene. For others, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of the oral cavity, identify the causes of periodontitis and develop effective treatment methods.

To accurately determine the disease and prescribe effective treatment, the periodontist uses various diagnostic methods and tests. Thanks to this, the doctor can recognize the symptoms of the disease at an early stage. The periodontist treats periodontal diseases, removes tartar and plaque from the gum pockets and teeth. The doctor is competent in the use of drugs for both prevention and treatment of diseases.

What diseases does a periodontist treat?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in periodontology. Let's look at what diseases a periodontist treats.

• Periodontitis is a chronic disease that has a wave-like course (unexpected relapses and attenuation). During the disease, inflammatory and infectious processes occur in the oral cavity, which have a destructive effect on the condition of the teeth and gums.
• Periodontosis is a non-inflammatory disease that affects the tissues around the teeth, that is, the periodontium.
• Gingivitis (ulcerative necrotic gingivitis) is an inflammation of the gums.
• A root cyst of a tooth is a neoplasm that appears at the apex of a tooth root due to an infection in the root canals of the tooth.

Advice from a periodontist

Recommendations and advice from a periodontist are practical methods for dental care and prevention of oral diseases. Here are some of them:

• The most effective prevention of periodontitis is oral hygiene. This means that you need to take care of your teeth throughout your life. You need to brush your teeth twice a day, and don't forget to use dental floss. After eating, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with water so that food residues do not linger on your teeth and gums.
• The toothbrush should have rounded ends and soft bristles. This will allow you to gently clean your teeth from plaque without damaging your gums. You should change your toothbrush every two to four months.
• Dental floss is an effective method in the fight for oral hygiene. With the help of floss, you can get rid of plaque between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach.
• Choose a quality toothpaste that will reliably clean your teeth, have a preventive effect and prevent a number of dental diseases.

A periodontist is a professional dentist whose main job is to treat periodontal lesions. Regular check-ups with a periodontist and maintaining good oral hygiene will protect your teeth and gums from various diseases.