If you think that dental health only involves conditions affecting your teeth, then you are overlooking an important part of the picture. On the contrary, some of the most prevalent dental problems involves one’s gums. According to statistics, around three-fourths of the entire American population will suffer from a form of gum disease at least once in their entire lifetime with gingivitis being the most prominent form of gum disease.
Who do you go to when you have a gum disease?
While dentists can help you with your routine maintenance and prevention of gum infections, periodontists in Myrtle Beach, SC, like Dr. Rearden are the dentists who have specialized in diagnosing, treating and preventing dental conditions which affect ones gums. At the same time, periodontists may also perform cosmetic dental procedures involving the reconstruction of gums. On top of individuals who are suspected to having a gum disease, patients who have diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and osteoporosis should also visit a periodontist since they are prone to developing gum infections compared to the average person without any of those pre-existing conditions.
How can a dentist become a periodontist?
In order to be classified as a periodontist, a dentist would first have to enroll and graduate in a school that offers a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medical Dentistry program. On top of that, a dentist has to complete at least three to seven years of residency in a program that is accredited by the American Dental Association. After accomplishing all of those requirements, it is necessary for the dentist to earn a certification by the American Board of Periodontology by passing a national board exam in order to be certified as a periodontist.
What are the different procedures that a periodontist can perform?
A periodontist can perform either surgical or non-surgical gum treatments. The following are some of the more common dental treatments that periodontists often perform:
Scaling and Planing. The first treatment which is used to address mild gum disease is the scaling and planing procedure, wherein the tartar accumulations are scraped off from the gumline and then the exposed dental roots are smoothened out to prevent future accumulations of plaque and tartar along these areas.
Pocket Reduction. When the gum disease has progressed on, the gum recession could be severe enough that copious amounts of the dental roots have already become exposed. Exposure of dental roots could lead to the instability of the teeth and their removal. For this reason, pocket reduction treatments are done to pull down the gums and undo the gum recession.
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