What Do Periodontists Do?

Most people are aware that they must take care of their teeth. They follow or try to follow a regular routine of oral hygiene – brushing, flossing and mouthwash to prevent decay and bad breath. But gums are just as susceptible to disease and bacteria as teeth, and don’t get much attention. For people who might be wondering why see a periodontist, the answer is simple. Periodontists treat gum disease of various kinds. They also place dental implants, which are a new and more convenient alternative to dentures.

What do periodontists do?
Periodontists specialize in treatment of the support structures of your teeth, including the gums, cementum, periodontal membranes, and alveolar bone. Their work includes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, as well as the placement, maintenance and repair of dental implants. They also treat oral inflammation such as the gum disease gingivitis.
Treatments include cleaning processes such as scaling and root planing, which cleans the infected surface of the root. In root surface debridement, damaged tissue is removed. Other procedures used by periodontist are guided tissue regeneration and crown lengthening.They can also treat severe gum problems with a range of surgical procedures.

Why see a periodontist?
Researchers have found a relationship between periodontal disease and other chronic diseases of aging. As more and more people suffer from periodontal disease, more serious and complex cases should be treated by a periodontist who specializes in these procedures.
For people who have lost teeth due to gum disease, tooth decay or injury, dental implants are an increasingly popular choice. Dental implants are based on new technology, and offer a much more convenient and natural-looking alternative to dentures and bridges. Simply put, they are replacement tooth roots, into which replacement teeth can be fixed. The answer to the question – why see a periodontist – is simple. For anyone suffering from periodontal disease or needing a tooth replacement, they can provide the appropriate treatment.

How do dental implants work?
Dental implants are replacement roots, which are planted in the bone itself. When the bone heals, it grows around the implant just as it did with the original root. The implant provides a foundation in which the replacement tooth can be fixed.
Dental implants are a natural-looking, convenient alternative to dentures and bridges. The oldest dental implants can be traced back to around 600 AD. Archeologists have found evidence that pieces of shell resembling teeth were fitted into the jawbone of a Mayan woman.

Why are dental implants so popular?
As a convenient natural alternative to dentures, dental implants have become popular rapidly. At present, as many as 3 million Americans have dental implants, and their number is increasing by 500,000 annually. This is not surprising, given that they have a high rate of success. The scientific literature reports the success rate of dental implants to be as high as as 98%.
Due to their popularity, the value of the global dental implants market reached $7,365.7 million in 2015. Within the next five years, it is projected to increase to $10,427.7 million by 2020.
Some of the factors that make dental implants popular are:

• They are fixed: unlike dentures which have to removed, dental implants are permanent. There’s no reason to mess with adhesives or face the embarrassment of removing dentures.
• They improve your appearance: dental implants look natural and are designed to look like your own teeth.
• Clear speech: dental implants fit as well as your natural teeth and unlike dentures, don’t cause mumbling or slurring in your speech.
• Comfort: dental implants fit naturally and easily. You can eat with them as well as you can with your own teeth.
• Oral health: unlike bridges, other teeth are not affected in the process of placing dental implants.
• Long lasting: with proper care, dental impacts can last for a lifetime.

For people who might be wondering why see a periodontist, the answer is simple. Periodontitis to specialize in treating gum disease and other periodontal diseases. They can work with dentist to devise the best treatment plan for an individual.