Frequently Asked Questions

A periodontist is a dental specialist who has undergone the amount of training and earned the experience required by the American Academy of Periodontology to diagnose and treat different forms of periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). This classification requires three years of additional training after the doctor has completed dental school.

Common signs include:

• Swollen, tender, or red gums
• Bleeding that occurs while brushing or flossing
• Teeth that feel loose
• Teeth that appear longer (a sign of receding gums)
• Chronic, severe bad breath that mouthwash is unable to treat
• A sudden change in your bite

You may be at a higher risk of having periodontal disease if you regularly smoke or use tobacco products, do not practice diligent brushing or flossing, or have a health condition such as diabetes or heart disease. It can also be genetic, so be alert if several members of your family are suffering from periodontal disease.

Our office requires current periodontal x-rays so that we can view any aspects of disease that are otherwise not visible to the naked eye. If your referring dentist has taken x-rays recently, please request that they are forwarded to us.

Your status as a viable candidate for dental implants is determined by the volume or quantity of bone in the specific implant area. However, our team can provide bone grafting to grow the tissue and allow for the placement of implants in the proper position. This means that almost every patient can receive dental implants.