Taking care of your teeth and gums is essential for maintaining overall oral health. While regular visits to the dentist are important, there may be times when you need to seek out specialized care from a periodontist. A periodontist is a dental professional who specializes in treating diseases that affect the gum and other tissues that support the teeth. Here are 10 benefits of going to a periodontist Durham.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Gum Disease
One of the most common issues treated by a periodontist is gum disease. Gum disease can be caused by poor oral hygiene and can lead to bone degradation and tooth loss if left untreated. A periodontist can diagnose and treat gum disease in its early stages, which can help avoid further damage to your teeth and gums.
Improved Oral Hygiene
Since they specialize in gum health, periodontists can offer personalized advice on how to keep your gums healthy between visits. This includes recommendations on brushing and flossing techniques as well as tips on using mouthwash or special tools like interdental brushes or water flossers.
Pain Relief
If you’re suffering from pain due to infected or inflamed gums, a periodontist can provide relief with medications or procedures such as scaling or root planing (deep cleaning). They may also recommend surgical procedures such as grafts or flap surgery depending on the severity of your condition.
Dental Implants
Periodontists are experts in placing dental implants, which are artificial teeth that look just like natural ones but last much longer than traditional dentures or bridges. Implants are placed directly into the jawbone, providing more stability than other options while still looking natural and feeling comfortable in your mouth when speaking, eating, and smiling.
Cosmetic Enhancements
Periodontists also specialize in cosmetic treatments such as laser gum reshaping or crown lengthening to improve the aesthetics of your smile by altering the shape of your gums or adjusting the length of visible tooth structure above the gum line. These procedures can give you a more even smile without compromising any existing dental work you may have done previously.
Bone Grafts
If you’ve lost teeth due to decay or trauma, bone grafts can help restore lost tissue for implants to be placed successfully into the jawbone later on down the road if needed. During this procedure, a periodontist will take small pieces of living tissue from another area of your body (or use synthetic material ) and insert them into the affected area, allowing for new tissue growth over time.
Sinus Lift Surgery
If you’re considering getting dental implants but have been told that there isn’t enough bone available, sinus lift surgery may be an option. During this procedure, a periodontist will carefully raise part of your upper jawbone so that it’s higher than before, giving them access to implant into areas where there was not enough room before.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening services are often offered by general dentists, but did you know that some periodontists also provide these types of services? Not only do they use professional-grade products for maximum results, but they also cleanse any remaining plaque buildup before whitening so that it doesn’t interfere with the results once complete.
Soft Tissue Augmentation
Soft tissue augmentation refers to procedures designed specifically for those who have suffered from receding gums due to gum disease or other factors. During this procedure, a periodontist will take healthy tissue from one area of your mouth ( typically near an unaffected area ) and implant it onto another area where there has been significant recession due to inflammation or infection caused by bacteria buildup over time.
Bite Adjustment
Periodontists specialize in diagnosing bite problems (or malocclusions) which involve either too much spacing between certain teeth or too little space between others which causes difficulty chewing food properly or grinding down one’s enamel due to excessive pressure being applied during biting motions over time. This type of problem is usually addressed through braces but sometimes bite adjustment surgeries may be necessary if braces cannot adequately correct misalignments within a reasonable timeframe.
Conclusion
Visiting a periodontist offers many benefits including diagnosis & treatment for gum disease, improved oral hygiene practices & pain relief services along with specialized treatment options such as dental implants, cosmetic enhancements & soft tissue augmentation. With their expertise & experience in diagnosing & treating all sorts of conditions related directly & indirectly to oral health .. Anybody looking for specialist care should consider reaching out to an experienced local periodontal specialist today!
FAQ
Why would you need to see a periodontist?
Poor oral hygiene can lead to serious gum disease, and a periodontist possesses the specialized knowledge needed to treat it. Not only do they assist with this condition, but also offer support in other areas such as tooth extraction and bone grafting after removal. Consequently, seeing a periodontist is an ideal way of ensuring your mouth health remains in top-notch shape!
How long does it take for gums to heal after laser treatment?
Gum health can be significantly improved with laser surgery treatment. However, the total time to recovery depends on each individual’s unique situation; typically taking 2-4 weeks for surface area healing and repair.