Picking The Best Periodontists: How to Find the Right Provider

An affordable dentist is your ideal choice for routine dental exams and fillings, but if you have serious gum disease, or you want to get dental implants, it’s time to see a dental specialist called a periodontist. If you smoke or chew tobacco, or you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems, or osteoporosis, it’s even more important to see one of the best periodontists you can find, as these factors make you especially vulnerable to periodontal disease. To protect your oral and general health, you need a skilled periodontist on your healthcare team.

Periodontists must complete a residency program after completing a four-year undergraduate degree and then becoming a Doctor of Dental Surgery, and pass strict written and oral exams to earn board certification. Certified periodontists are skilled in performing non-surgical periodontal treatments like scaling and root planning and surgical procedures like regeneration, pocket reduction, and gingivectomy. They also perform cosmetic procedures like gingival sculpting and ridge augmentation and place dental implants.

How to Choose a Periodontist – Finding the best periodontists in your area may be as simple as asking your dentist for a referral. If you’re tackling the search on your own, consider the following key factors before choosing a periodontist.

• Credentials and continuing education
• Length of time in practice
• Conservative or aggressive treatment philosophy
• Pain management and anesthesia options
• Dental insurance plans accepted
• Location and office hours
• Emergency care options

Your First Periodontal Appointment – During the initial visit, your periodontist will take a complete medical history, evaluate your condition, and formulate a treatment plan. Be sure to bring a list of all your medications, including over-the-counter medicines and nutritional supplements. Your physical examination will include an evaluation of your head, neck, jaw, mouth, and throat as well as your teeth and gums. Several x-rays may be taken. Once a diagnosis is made, your periodontist will discuss your treatment options, and offer a comprehensive plan that includes ongoing maintenance.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in South Bend, call The Dental Center of Indiana today or make an appointment.