A periodontist is a dental specialist who prevents, diagnoses and treats periodontal diseases, in addition to placing implants. A periodontal disease is an infection that involves your gums and surrounding structures. The earliest stage of this is called gingivitis. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to more severe problems, including those that affect other aspects of your health. Finding a “periodontist near me” may be one of your priorities, and that’s good because seeing one regularly should be a normal part of your dental care routine. Here’s how to find the best one for your needs.
Look for Experience and Certification
You don’t want just anyone working on your teeth and gums. If you have periodontal disease or are at risk of developing it, it’s imperative to find a certified periodontist with plenty of experience in the field. The periodontist you choose should have a degree from an accredited school in addition to completing seven years of training in the field. There are also residencies and examinations that your periodontist must take to be certified. Without this certification and experience, you can’t be sure that you’re getting what you’re paying for so if it can’t be provided, it’s best to move on to another option.
What Procedures are Performed
If you’re going to see a periodontist, it makes sense to see one that can do a variety of treatments and procedures for you. On the other hand, there are some things that a different specialist would be a better choice. Things a periodontist can do include deep cleaning, scaling and root planing. They can also take care of dental implant placement in addition to performing periodontal surgery. Surgery may be regeneration, pocket reduction or the removal of excess gum tissue. A periodontist can also do periodontal plastic surgery, such as lengthening your crown, or grafting soft tissue and augmenting ridges. If these are procedures you might need, a periodontist should be your first contact.
Other Considerations
There are some other things to think about as you choose a periodontist. That includes whether you like them and feel comfortable talking about and being treated for your dental health by them. You should also agree with the treatment plan that’s presented and find a periodontist who accepts your insurance. You might also want to know if you’ll always see the same periodontist or if there are other people who will help treat you. You may also want to ask about emergency services, medication usage and hours of operation. Finally, obviously, you want to find a periodontist who is close to your home.
If you’re performing a search for a “periodontist near me,” be sure you don’t just call the first one you find. Spend a little time to ensure that you’ve found the right provider for your needs and that you’ll be happy being a patient at their dental clinic.
If you need any kind of periodontal work, call the experts at Provident Dental Group today for help.
