Periodontistry studies the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of your gums. Gum disease is a serious condition that affects the function and aesthetics of your teeth and nearby tissues.
Periodontal disease shows up as gingivitis (swelling and bleeding of the gums without affecting the bone) or as periodontitis, in which case it starts causing degeneration of the bone that supports the tooth, being the culprit of tooth loss on the long run.
Periodontists offer a wide range of treatments, such as scaling and root planing (in which the infected surface of the root is cleaned) or root surface debridement (in which damaged tissue is removed). They can also treat patients with severe gum problems using a range of surgical procedures. In addition, periodontists are specially trained in the placement, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.
