How to Choose a Periodontist
A periodontist is a dental professional who specializes in treating gum disease. Periodontists also place dental implants and can provide cosmetic gum procedures as well. Most of the time, a periodontist will work in conjunction with the patient’s general dentist to provide the best treatment possible. For example, a periodontist is the doctor who will place a dental implant, but the patient’s dentist will restore the implant with the abutment and implant crown. Follow-up appointments are typically done with the periodontist.
Patients who have periodontal disease as well as those living with diabetes, heart or respiratory disease, osteoporosis, or who use tobacco products should all visit a periodontist for an evaluation. If you find that you are experiencing symptoms of periodontal disease, it is important to see a periodontist as soon as possible to begin treatment before permanent damage is done.
Left untreated, periodontal disease leads to deterioration in the jaw, damage to gum tissue, and lost teeth. When a tooth is lost and not replaced with a dental implant, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate even further, risking additional tooth loss. Finding the right periodontist will ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy for as long as possible. Dental implants are incredible, but nothing compares to natural teeth!
How do I choose a periodontist?
Often, your general dentist will refer you to a periodontist that they know and have worked with in the past; therefore, they trust them with their patient’s care. If you like and are confident in your dentist’s abilities and care, you are more likely to be happy with the specialist they send you to. Dental professionals have a referral network, colleagues that they rely on and work well with on different cases. This is the best way to pin down a periodontist, but if you need a periodontist and have not been referred, there are a few ways to find someone that is best for you.
One of the most common ways patients locate a periodontist is by searching their insurance’s “find a provider” portal. While this can be a good step to take, it is important to understand your insurance and what it will cover. You may need to have an evaluation before you are able to know what exactly your insurance will cover and where treatment will be. Most dental insurance plans have a cap on how much they will pay out, so in the end, finding a periodontist solely based on your insurance provider may not be best.
If you do need extensive treatment, insurance will only go so far, but a lot of dental professionals offer either in-house financing or work with a third-party financing company that can help ease the immediate financial burden. Some third-party companies even have interest-free options, allowing you to pay over time within an agreed-upon period.
You can also ask friends and family for recommendations. They will be much more reliable than online reviews and can give you a genuine feel, having had their own experience. And do bear in mind that not everyone is going to be happy all the time; some doctors and patients just get along better than others!
Some other things to consider when looking for a periodontist include:
- Where is the office located, and are the hours convenient for you?
- How long have they been practicing?
- What is their expertise for the specific treatment you require?
- Are they board certified, and what continuing education courses have they recently completed?
- What type of dental technology and equipment do they use?
- Do they have a pleasant chair-side manner? Is the staff professional and accommodating?
- What pain relief options are available?
- Do they have emergency hours or the ability to contact the doctor after close of business?
- Do you like their before and after photo gallery? If you are having a cosmetic gum treatment, do you like the results you see on others?
Another thing to consider is if they are part of a dental group with many doctors specializing in different areas. One-stop oral health care can be very convenient, especially for families with members of varying ages and different needs. But they do not usually refer outside of the practice, so you may not receive the best care possible.
What can I expect on my first visit to a periodontist?
Your first visit will likely just be an evaluation. Make sure to provide a full health history, including any medications that you are currently taking. During this appointment, the periodontist will examine your X-rays if they were forwarded from your general dentist or take X-rays before they start evaluating your mouth. X-rays are a vital part of diagnosing periodontal disease. If you have a current set of X-rays with your dentist, make sure to request that they be sent to your periodontist before your appointment.
Even if you do have a full set of X-rays from your dentist, the periodontist still may need additional X-rays to make sure they are seeing the whole picture. A periapical X-ray is a picture of one area that shows the entire tooth, from the crown to the tip of the root, as well as the underlying bone and connective tissues. These are a necessary diagnostic tool, especially for patients looking to undergo implant placement surgery.
After studying your X-rays, the periodontist will perform a full examination of your teeth and gums, throat, head, neck, and even the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). After the evaluation, the periodontist will provide you with their diagnosis and proposed treatment plan. Be sure to ask about all treatment options available for your specific case so that you can make an informed decision. Some doctors are more aggressive and go immediately to surgery, whereas others are more reserved and may take a different approach. Make sure that their treatment philosophy aligns with your needs.
After treatment, you will likely need to see your periodontist once or twice a year for the rest of your life. This allows them to make sure that their treatment worked and that it continues to work for you. Implant patients, for example, resume regular care with their general dentist but are scheduled annually for a visit with their periodontist to ensure the health and integrity of the implant. If something is amiss, your periodontist will be able to identify an issue before it gets out of hand.
Of course, you will still see your general dentist; periodontal visits will be in addition. Many patients who undergo periodontal treatment benefit from an increased frequency for their professional cleanings. Patients with a history of periodontal disease often need to see their dentist for a cleaning three or four times a year instead of the typical twice a year. Their cleanings are also a bit more involved and are called “periodontal maintenance”. Any patient who has received periodontal treatment will begin receiving periodontal maintenance cleanings with their regular dentist.
Periodontal disease can be detrimental to your oral and overall health. Studies have proven a link between periodontal disease and systemic problems like heart disease, diabetes, and even cognitive decline. So while periodontal treatment might seem daunting or even like something that can be put off until a better time, dental issues do not improve on their own and will only get worse, costing more time, pain, and money in the long run. If your dentist is concerned with periodontal disease, it is vital to get an evaluation from a periodontist and proceed with the recommended treatment.
Related Article: First Visit to a Periodontist