Why See a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a specialist in the treatment of gum tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. “Peri-“ means around and “odont” means tooth. Periodontal means having to do with the tissues around your teeth and periodontitis means infection of the tissues around your teeth.

Seeing a periodontist is key if you have health factors that put you at higher risk of periodontal disease and its complications. Examples of such risk factors include pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease or having recently undergone cancer treatment or organ replacement surgery.

A periodontist has three additional years of advanced postgraduate training beyond their basic dental degree, including specialized training in dental implant placement and the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease, as well as cosmetic periodontal procedures.

Periodontists are experts in diagnosing and treating gum disease. Your periodontal disease may progress to the point where only a Periodontist may be able to help you. If you have advanced gum disease, or have been struggling to keep your gum disease under control, you should see a Periodontist. It is important to note that periodontal disease is usually painless and can go undetected until it’s too late so if you suspect that you may have a problem with gum disease, schedule an appointment to see Dr. Reyes-Viruet.

Thanks to her experience, training and periodontal expertise, Dr. Reyes-Viruet successfully treats all levels of periodontal cases, even very complex cases.

When to see a Periodontist:

Bleeding while eating or brushing:

Unexplained bleeding while consuming food or during the course of daily cleaning is one of the most common signs of periodontal infection.

Bad breath:

Continued halitosis (bad breath) that persists even when a rigorous oral hygiene program is in place can be indicative of periodontitis, gingivitis or the beginnings of an infection in the gum tissue.

Loose teeth and gum recession:

Longer looking teeth can signal recession of the gums and bone loss due to periodontal disease. As this disease progresses and attacks the jawbone (the anchor holding the teeth in place), the teeth may become loose or be lost all together.

Related health conditions:

Heart disease, diabetes, osteopenia and osteoporosis are highly correlated with periodontitis and periodontal infections. Pre-term low birth weight babies may also be linked to an untreated periodontal condition. The bacterial infection can spread through the blood stream and affect other parts of the body.

Advantages of Seeing a Periodontist for Dental Implant Treatment

As part of their specialist education, periodontists receive extensive training in all aspects of implant placement. Over time, a periodontist completes many different types of dental implant cases and runs across many kinds of oral health situations. As a result, patients can expect the following:

• Better long-term success rates
• Competence in treating complex cases
• The ability to provide gun and bone grafting when necessary
• Reduced risk of implant failure
• Quick and efficient treatment, which equals shorter time in the chair, faster healing time and less discomfort
• Better aesthetics
• Better function

Cosmetic Periodontal Procedures

In addition to treating periodontal disease, Dr. Reyes-Viruet is also a specialist in performing cosmetic procedures of the gums, also known as periodontal plastic surgery. This will enhance your smile, improve your gum appearance as well as offer improved function. Periodontal plastic surgery is performed to lay the groundwork for restorative and cosmetic dentistry including crowns, bridges and veneers by improving the look of the gum line.