Q: What is a periodontist?
A: A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. Periodontistry is one of the many areas of dental specialty that require training beyond the education that earns a dental degree, either a DDS-Doctor of Dental Surgery or DMD-Doctor of Dental Medicine. (The difference between the degrees is purely semantic. Each has the same education requirements as set by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation). The word has Greek roots, "peri" meaning "around," and "odont," the word for tooth.
A periodontist is a critical figure in determining whether a person is a candidate for dental implants. Since some 75 percent of Americans have some form of gum disease, periodontists play a significant role in addressing the oral health needs of the country. Your dentist, of course, is also trained to recognize the signs of gum disease. On your next visit, talk with your dentist about whether you should see a periodontist and ask your dentist about some of the other fields of dental specialty.
|
Top
