A periodontist is a dentist who is a specialist in the treatment of diseases and deformities of the gums. These conditions include: periodontitis (a.k.a. gum disease, pyorrhea), gingivitis, gum recessions, and “gummy” smiles, among others. Periodontists also have extensive training in the placement of dental implants as well as the treatment of medical disorders affecting the mouth (stomatology).

Periodontology or Periodontics is the specialty of dentistry that studies supporting structures of teeth, diseases, and conditions that affect them. The supporting tissues are known as the periodontium, which includes the gingiva(gums), alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament. Periodontal diseases take on many different forms but are usually a result of a coalescence of bacterial plaque biofilm accumulation of the red complex bacteria (egs. include P. gingivalis, T. forsythus, and T. denticola) of the gingiva and teeth, combined with host immuno-inflammatory mechanisms and other risk factors which lead to destruction of the supporting bone around natural teeth. Untreated, these diseases lead to alveolar bone loss and tooth loss and, to date, continue to be the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Bleeding gums is a serious problem and ideally you should be seeing a dentist immediately. Bleeding gums either indicate the beginning of destructive process of the supporting tissue around the tooth (gum disease) or any serious underlying systemic problem!

Gum (periodontal) Disease begins when the toxins found in plaque (sticky thin layer of food and bacteria covering the tooth surface) attack the soft or gingival tissue surrounding the teeth. It is this bacterial toxin and the irritants that cause the gums to bleed. The bacteria embed themselves in the gum tissue and breed further, leading to infection. As the bacterial infection deepens into the tooth supporting tissue, the gums bleed, recede, teeth become loose eventually leading to tooth loss!!
Gum disease, and not Tooth Decay, is the number one cause of tooth loss!

If diagnosed with periodontal disease, gum disease, pyorrhea, the treatment will focus on removing the harmful plaque and tartar that is putting the health of your gums and the longevity of your teeth in danger. In some instances a simple cleaning and instructions on how to clean your teeth will be all that is necessary. If there has been destruction of the tissues that support your teeth and pockets have formed, then treatments that are more extensive may be necessary. These may include non-surgical treatments such as scaling and root planing.

If the bone supporting the teeth has been damaged, surgical treatment may be recommended. Surgery can take the form of a minor reshaping of the supporting bone or regeneration of lost bone. The specialty of Periodontics increasingly treats bone loss by the regeneration (re-growth) of the bone. In most cases, there are several possible ways to treat the various types of periodontal disease. A Periodontist is trained in the available methods for treating damage to the gums and can help you make a decision about what is the best treatment for you.

Sometimes there are defects or imperfections in the gums that keep patients from having the smile they always wanted. These include: an uneven gum line due to “short” teeth or receded gums; insufficient clinical crown height (often referred to as a “gummy” smile); lost or collapsed gums due to extracted or missing teeth, “black holes” between teeth, bridges, or implants; and sensitive teeth due to gum recession. Cosmetic gum surgery techniques (a.k.a. Periodontal Plastic Surgery) can help correct these imperfections – the results can often be dramatic.

A dental cleaning is a professional cleaning you receive from a dentist. Most dental cleanings take only between 25 and 30 minutes. Cleanings should be performed every six months to prevent excessive plaque buildup. Plaque left untreated can lead to unhealthy gums and tooth decay. A routine dental cleaning should include scaling, root planing and polishing.

This is the process of removing plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces in a variety of methods, depending on the amount of plaque and tartar.

This is the process of cleaning pockets in the gums to treat and prevent gum problems.
Root planing is used to treat moderate to advanced gum diseases. When the gum is inflamed, gum pockets become deeper and may lose connections to the bone inside. The deeper the pockets, the easier it is for plaque deposits to become trapped and worsen gum problems. Root planing involves inserting a pointed dental tool called scalers into the gym pockets to clean plaque buildup. Depending on the degree of difficulty, root planing may take several appointments and a local anesthesia may be used to prevent pain.

This is the last step in tooth cleaning and involves finishing the surface of the teeth to make them shiny and clean.

CURETTAGE is a non surgical way to eliminate the gums of the bacterial lining.

Halitosis is sophisticated word for “bad breath”. Depending on the cause, bad breath may strike on occasion or be a persistent condition. The most common cause of bad breath is bacteria. Because the mouth is moist and warm, it creates perfect conditions for the millions of bacteria that live in the mouth. In fact, approximately 80% of bad breath is caused by something in the mouth.

Some types of bad breath, such as "morning mouth," are considered fairly normal and are not usually health concerns. However, persistent bad breath may be a sign of more serious problems with the gums and teeth.