The Periodontist

Like medicine, dentistry has numerous specialties. The two major dental specialties are orthodontics, which is concerned with the straightening of misaligned and injured teeth, and periodontics, in which diseases of the gums and roots are treated. Patients who suffer from severe gingivitis or other gum disease are treated by the periodontist.

Like the home or building in which you live, your teeth rest on a foundation; this is the function of the gums. Gum disorders, or periodontal diseases are usually the result of neglect and poor oral hygiene, but can be hereditary. These occur when harmful bacteria builds up beneath the gum line, damaging the roots or the teeth and the surrounding tissues.

The most common disease that the periodontist treats is periodontitis, or inflammation of the gums. This is caused by an immune system response to the bacteria that are attacking dental roots and gum tissues.

Another condition treated by the periodontist is receding gums. This is a type of gum wear that is usually - but not always - age related. Ironically, this condition can also result from overzealous dental hygiene - i.e., brushing too vigorously with a stiff toothbrush, which wears away the gum tissue as well as the tooth enamel. When gums recede too much, it not only gives the patient a "horsey" appearance, it threatens the health of the tooth by exposing the roots. This may be treated with grafts by taking skin from the patients own palate (which is preferable) or from a donor (in which case there is a risk of rejection). As long as the underlying bone structure is sound however, gum grafts usually result in near-complete restoration of the patient's gum line.

The periodontist will tell you that early detection and treatment is the key to successful restoration of periodontal health. Untreated, periodontal disease can result in complete tooth loss, but with early and prompt treatment, most patients can be readily restored to full periodontal health.