Why see a periodontist?
You can compare dentistry to general medicine and its specialties. A dentist is like your family physician. He can take care of most of your dental health problems and help you stay in shape.
As with your family physician, your dentist may recommend you to see a specialist if your periodontal (gum) condition has reached a certain stage or the need is present.
Periodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with the maintenance of health and the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease, as well as the placement of dental implants. Periodontal specialty programs are usually three years in duration following graduation from the four to five year dental school program.
Even if you see a periodontist for treatments, you have to continue to see your dentist. The periodontist will work in close collaboration with your dentist to treat your mouth and fine tune a dental health program.
Once your periodontal treatment is over, the periodontist will refer you back to your regular dentist. The periodontist may also ask you to come back for periodic evaluations of your periodontal status.