What is a Periodontist ?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in gum disease and degeneration. Since its common for gum disease to occur, especially as we age, many people are referred to a periodontist if gum disease is detected.

About 75% of tooth loss is due to periodontal disease, formations of bacterial plaque that infect and begin to cause gum deterioration, loose teeth, receding gums, red or swollen gums, frequent bleeding of the gums, and spaces between the teeth.

If periodontal disease has been caught early, there are many non-surgical ways to treat it. Most commonly,

Dr. Okui can employ dental scaling and root-planing during early onset periodontal disease. This involves removing plaque from roots of teeth, and smoothing the roots of the tooth to prevent additional growth of bacteria.

When periodontal disease is more advanced, Dr.Okui is trained in several surgical techniques, which can help restore the teeth. These include bone grafting to replace lost bone due to severe bacterial infection, crown lengthening, which can help restructure a tooth so that it better supports a crown, and tooth and gum contouring, which can help reshape teeth and gums affected by gum disease.

Dr.Okui is also skilled in performing dental implants, the new standard when a tooth is lost. In this procedure, a replacement for a lost tooth is surgically attached to the jaw and topped with a crown. Though this procedure is more expensive than bridges or false teeth, it tends to last longer and provide more comfort. Theres also no need to use adhesives since the tooth is permanently fixed in the mouth.

You do not need a referral to see a periodontist. In fact, there are occasions when one may choose to go directly to a periodontist or to refer a family member or friend to their own periodontist.

Please contact our office to make an appointment.

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