When it comes to dental care, there are many different types of dental professionals who specialize in different areas of the mouth. One such specialist is a periodontist, who focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease, as well as the placement of dental implants and other advanced procedures. Periodontists focus their area of care on the space around your tooth roots.
Canal Vista Family Dental in Princeton, NJ offers both general family dentistry as well as periodontal treatments. However, it can be helpful to be familiar with the types of periodontal therapy available so that you can best choose which type of dentist to visit.
Periodontist vs. Dentist
While both dentists and periodontists have a focus on oral health and gum disease, there are some key differences between the two. A general dentist focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of dental issues, including cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. In contrast, a periodontist specializes in the health of the gums and other structures that support the teeth. Rather than restoring a tooth with a filling or crown, periodontists are experts in the health of bone and gum tissues surrounding the roots of your teeth.
Periodontists receive additional education and training in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease, as well as the placement of dental implants and other advanced procedures. This specialized training allows them to provide more advanced care to patients with complex dental issues. Especially for people who are at high risk for tooth loss because of periodontal (gum) disease.
What Does a Periodontist Do for Receding Gums?
Receding gums can be a common problem that affects the health and appearance of your smile. When gums recede, the roots of your teeth can become exposed, leading to sensitivity, increased risk of decay, and other dental issues such as mobility or tooth loss. A periodontist can provide a range of treatments for receding gums, depending on the severity of the issue.
One common treatment for receding gums is a gum graft, which involves taking tissue from one area of the mouth or a donor source and transplanting it over the area with the receding gums. This procedure can help to restore the shape of your gums and prevent further risk to the teeth underneath.
At Canal Vista Family Dental, Dr. Bestandji is highly experienced in treating receding gums, and she uses the latest techniques and technologies to provide patients with the best possible care – including minimally-invasive gum grafting options.
What Does a Periodontist Do for Gum Disease?
Aggressive gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. It’s a common condition that affects the health of the gums and bone structures that support your teeth. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and other serious dental issues. In fact, it’s the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. Untreated gum disease can also strain your immune system, increase your risk of stroke and heart attack, and make it difficult to control your blood sugar levels.
A periodontist can provide a range of treatments for gum disease, depending on the severity of the issue. One common treatment is scaling and root planing, which involves deep cleaning the teeth and gums to remove bacteria and plaque. For more advanced cases of gum disease, a periodontist may recommend gum flap surgery or crown lengthening. These complex procedures are used as a final effort to prevent tooth loss.
At Canal Vista Family Dental, Dr. Bestandji is highly experienced in treating gum disease, and she works closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that meet their unique needs. Our Princeton patients can receive comprehensive periodontal therapy and deep cleanings without the need for a referral in most cases.
What Does a Periodontist Do for Bone Loss?
Bone loss can be a common issue for patients with gum disease or other dental issues. When the bone that supports the teeth begins to deteriorate, it can lead to tooth loss and other serious dental problems. Loss of bone around one tooth often triggers a chain reaction that involves the adjacent teeth.
A periodontist can provide a range of treatments for bone loss, depending on the severity of the issue. One common treatment is bone grafting, which involves taking bone from one area of the body and transplanting it to the area with the bone loss. This procedure can help to regenerate the bone and prevent tooth mobility or loss. It may be paired with periodontal therapy to address the cause of your bone loss in the first place.
At Canal Vista Family Dental, Dr. Bestandji is highly experienced in treating bone loss, and he uses the latest techniques and technologies to provide patients with the best possible care. We offer in-house bone augmentation (grafting) for our patients experiencing bone resorption around their teeth.
Advanced Services Offered by Periodontists
One of the other treatments periodontists offer is dental implant placement. Since periodontists are experts in the supporting structures of teeth, they are equipped to safely install dental implants for patients with missing teeth. That being said, most periodontal specialists will refer the patient back to a general dentist to have the visible “tooth” (e.g., crown or bridge) installed on top of the implant afterward.
Dr. Bestandji offers complete dental implant placement and restoration under one roof. Rather than refer you back and forth to a specialty clinic, we can perform the entire implant process at our office in Princeton. From the implant installation to the final restoration placement, no outside referrals are usually needed, and a variety of dental implant designs are available.
Periodontal Treatment in Princeton
If you have active gum disease, missing teeth, or bone resorption, call Canal Vista Family Dental in Princeton today. Dr. Bestandji offers comprehensive general dentistry and periodontal services in one convenient location. We’ll work with you to create a personalized care plan that fits your oral health needs. Call now to get started!
