Periodontics is the dental specialty focusing exclusively on the inflammatory disease that destroys the gums and other supporting structures around the teeth. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal, or disease, and in the placement of dental implants.
Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including three additional years of education beyond dental school. As specializes in periodontal disease, they are experts in the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. They are also trained in cosmetic periodontal procedures.
Course Goals and Objectives:
- To teach general dentists the importance of preventative dentistry measures in the practice of general dentistry.
- To foster early diagnosis of periodontal disease by training general dentists to examine the periodontal tissues with an uncompromising attention to detail.
- To train general dentists to understand clinical phenomena in terms of underlying microscopic tissue changes.
- To train general dentists to be capable of treating periodontal disease.
- To train general dentists to be capable of working intelligently with specialists when the nature of the case suggests the referral.
- To train general dentists to be confident and proud of their periodontal skills and be aware of the possibilities of periodontal treatment.
- To train general dentists in the long-term maintenance of periodontal health once the disease is eliminated.
Periodontists treat cases ranging from mild gingivitis to more severe periodontitis. Periodontists offer a wide range of treatments, such as scaling and root planning (the cleaning of infected root surfaces), root surface debridement (the removal of damaged tissue), and regenerative procedures (the reversal of lost bone and tissue).
When necessary, periodontists can also perform surgical procedures for patients with severe gum disease. Additionally, periodontists are trained in the placement, maintenance and repair of dental implants.
