The job of your periodontist is to prevent and treat periodontal disease. A periodontist’s responsibilities include the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease- but up until that point, prevention is Dr. Abe Shuster and Dr. Brock James Pumphrey’s primary goal. These professionals are also experts in treating oral inflammation, which is frequently an early sign of a developing problem.

Periodontist Training

Your periodontist has received extensive training in generalized dental care before receiving an additional three years of schooling in order to develop proficiency in their specialty. They are continually trained in the latest techniques and technologies. Periodontists are expected to keep up with all of the latest developments in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease.

Scope of Practice 

Of course, because of their extensive training and experience, a periodontist can do much more than just periodontal care. Your periodontal professional can treat cases of acute periodontal disease, including advanced cases of gum disease, and patients with a complex history of medical problems. A periodontist can offer a broad range of services to include root planning, scaling, and root debridement. They can offer treatment to patients suffering from severe gum problems with a whole host of advanced and time-tested surgical procedures. Your periodontist is also specially trained in the installation, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.

What to Expect?

During the first visit to your periodontist, Dr. Abe Shuster or Dr. Brock James Pumphrey will ordinarily review your whole medical record and dental history. They will ask if you are taking any medications or are being treated for any medical condition whatsoever. It is essential that they are given full and accurate information regarding your complete medical history, past and present. Anything your periodontist does not know can become a significant barrier to correct and effective treatment.

After the preliminary medical background review, your periodontist will examine your gums, check for any recession of the gum line, assess how well your teeth fit together while biting, and determine whether or not any teeth are loose or misaligned. He or she will then use a dental probe to measure the space between the teeth and gums to accurately determine the size of any gaps between those two surfaces.

X-ray images may be taken if your periodontist decides that more information is needed for the appraisal of your oral health. X-rays will be taken if there are any problem signs in the mouth that could be caused by a condition originating in or affecting the bone of the jaw.

When Should You See a Periodontist?

While many of a patient’s periodontal needs can be taken care of by a general dental practitioner, signs of periodontal disease may require the special training of a periodontal specialist.

As the patient’s age, the likelihood of developing periodontal problems becomes progressively greater. For this reason, it is best for a patient to be in the habit of making regular visits to a general dentist. This enables your dentist to know your dental medical history well enough to foresee possible periodontal trouble in time to get you to make an appointment with the periodontist.

Ideally, Dr. Brock James Pumphrey wants to prevent acute disease from developing by treating problem signs at the earliest possible stage. If you are interested in a periodontics consultation at Midtown Center for Advanced Periodontics in Atlanta contact us today!