Periodontists are the dental professionals who focus on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the gums, as well as other structures that support the teeth, In addition, periodontists are specially trained in the placement, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.
Among other things, they can recognize and treat the early stages of gum inflammation; perform minor surgery to resolve complicated cases of periodontitis (severe gum disease); gum grafting techniques to restore the appearance of a smile; and even place dental implants in the jaw, when a tooth can’t be saved.
The field of periodontics is one of the nine specialty practice areas recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). In order to qualify as a periodontist, a candidate must have successfully completed four years at an accredited dental school. Following this, he or she receives an additional three years of education and clinical training in an approved post-graduate program for periodontology.
