Is a Periodontist a Dentist? Understanding Their Specialized Role in Oral Health

Are you wondering, “Is a periodontist a dentist?” The simple answer is yes, but there’s more to it than that. In this article, I’ll explain what a periodontist does, how they’re trained, how they help with gum disease, and why they matter for your teeth and gums. If you want stronger gums, whiter teeth, and a healthy smile, this article will answer all your questions—plus a few you might not even have thought about.

Table of Contents

What Is a Periodontist?

Let’s start simple: A periodontist is a dentist, but not just any dentist. A periodontist is a dental expert who cares for the support system of your teeth—mostly your gums, the bone under them, and the tissues that hold your teeth in place.

Think of your teeth like trees and your gums like the ground and roots. If the ground washes away, even a healthy tree can fall. Periodontists are experts at keeping that “ground” strong and healthy.

According to Dr. Joe Dental, a board-certified periodontist, “A periodontist is a dental doctor with extra training. We protect the bases of your smile with science, skill, and a gentle hand.”

Why Is This Worth Reading?

Knowing if you need a regular dentist or a periodontist can save you money, pain, and time. It helps you make smart choices if you ever have bleeding gums, loose teeth, or need a dental implant. With the right expert, you’ll keep your own teeth longer and worry less about hidden dental issues.

How Does a Periodontist Become a Dentist?

Every periodontist starts by being a dentist. That means they finish four years of dental school and earn a degree—either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry). These two degrees are actually the same; schools just use different names.

Dental School: The Start

In dental school, students learn about everything—your teeth, mouth, tongue, gums, and jaw bones. They study anatomy, body functions, sickness, and how to do fillings, cleanings, and simple oral surgery. The focus is on all-around mouth health and preventative care so you can avoid cavities, gum problems, and losing teeth.

What Does a General Dentist Do?

A general dentist gives you check-ups and basic care. They clean your teeth, fill cavities, fix broken teeth, and teach you good brushing and flossing. They’re your first stop for regular dental care.

General dentists can:

• Do dental exams and x-rays
• Fill cavities and add crowns
• Pull teeth that are too damaged to save
• Teach people about good mouth habits

But when problems are deeper—like really bad gum disease or the need for a dental implant—your dentist may send you to a specialist.

What Makes a Periodontist Different From a General Dentist?

Think of it this way: Every dentist is like a family doctor for your mouth. But when your family doctor needs backup, they call in a specialist. That’s what periodontists are in dentistry.

Extra Years of Training

Periodontists go back to school after dental school—usually for another two or three years in a special program. There they study the periodontium—the “support system” made of gums, tissues, and jawbone. They learn extra ways to do surgery, gum grafts, and place dental implants.

“We really study why gum disease starts, how it spreads, and the best ways to save teeth and rebuild tissue,” says Dr. Joe Dental.

More Than Cleaning

While regular dentists clean teeth and fill cavities, periodontists handle tougher cases. They deal with gum grafts, bone loss, severe gum disease, and dental implant surgery—all things that need special skills and know-how.

Here’s a simple table showing the difference:

What Does a Periodontist Do?

If you ever hear, “You should see a periodontist,” don’t worry. Here’s what to expect.

Gum Disease Experts

Periodontists treat all degrees of gum disease—from the first signs of gingivitis (red, swollen, or bleeding gums) to serious periodontitis (when bone loss starts making teeth loose).

They use treatments like:

• Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning below the gumline)
• Special antibiotics or mouth rinses
• Gum grafts to cover roots that are showing
• Bone surgery to repair jaw bone damage

Dental Implant Specialists

Missing a tooth? Need a strong replacement? Periodontists are the dental implant experts. They put in implants, take care of healing, and make sure your new teeth work and look great. If there’s not enough bone, they can use bone grafts or do a sinus lift to make a strong base.

Cosmetic Gum Fixes

It’s not always about pain. Sometimes it’s about how your smile looks. Periodontists can do crown lengthening to fix a “gummy smile” or even your gum line for a nice-looking smile.

Why Would I Need to See a Periodontist?

Most people hear about periodontists when their gums need special help. Here’s a breakdown using the “PAS” (Problem, Agitate, Solution) method.

Problem

Almost half of adults over 30 in the U.S. have some gum disease. That’s about one out of every two people! If left alone, this can cause tooth loss, pain, and damage to the jaw.

Agitate

Gum disease often starts with no pain. But it doesn’t stay that way. It can sneak up as swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath, or teeth that feel wobbly. If you smoke or have diabetes, your risk is even higher.

Solution

A periodontist knows how to find trouble early and fix it before it gets worse. With regular periodontal care, they can stop gum disease or repair damage before you lose a tooth.

Signs you might need a periodontist:

• Gums bleed when you brush or floss
• Gums are shrinking or pulling away from your teeth
• Teeth are loose or shifting around
• You have bad breath a lot
• Your dentist says you have “pockets” or bone loss under your gums
• You need a dental implant

How Do General Dentists and Periodontists Work Together?

Dentistry is a team effort. Your regular dentist is the first to spot problems and fix what they can, and they refer you to a periodontist for harder care.

Teamwork for Your Smile

When you need big gum work or dental implants, your general dentist and periodontist become a team. This is called shared care, and it means everyone sticks to what they do best, so you get the best results.

Sometimes, your dentist will team up with your periodontist to:

• Plan full-mouth repairs
• Watch healing after gum surgery
• Keep your implants working and looking good

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Common Conditions Treated by Periodontists

Here are some of the things periodontists treat:

Gum Problems and Bone Loss

• Gingivitis: Early gum disease—red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
• Periodontitis: Bad stage—bone and gum tissue are lost, and teeth can get loose or fall out.
• Pocket Reduction Surgery: Makes the “pockets” between teeth and gums smaller to stop bacteria.

Dental Implants

• Implant Placement: Puts in missing teeth with strong new ones.
• Bone Grafting: Adds bone if you don’t have enough for an implant.
• Sinus Lift: Raises the upper jaw bone to fit an implant if needed.

Cosmetic Gum Work

• Crown Lengthening: Removes extra gum to show more of your teeth for crowns or a nicer smile.
• Gum Grafts: Uses tissue to cover roots that are exposed and stop shrinking.

What Happens During a Visit to a Periodontist?

Not sure what to expect? Here’s what usually happens:

The First Visit

• Full exam: Checks your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw bone.
• X-rays: Show bone levels and hidden issues.
• Pocket depth check: Small rulers measure the spaces between your teeth and gums.

Diagnosis and Plan

After looking at everything, your periodontist will break down:

• What’s happening (if anything)
• How bad it is
• What treatments will help—sometimes starting easy with deep cleaning, or going to more advanced steps

Everything is explained step by step so you know what comes next.

How Do You Choose the Right Periodontist?

Finding a good periodontist isn’t too hard. Here’s how to choose:

Board Certification

Pick a board-certified periodontist. This shows they’ve passed special tests and are up to date with new ways to care for you.

Experience With Your Issue

If you need an implant, choose someone with lots of successful cases. For big gum problems, ask how much surgery they’ve done.

Listen to Referrals

Your general dentist can guide you. If they suggest someone, trust their advice. You can also ask people you know about their experiences.

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Keeping Your Gums Healthy: Tips From the Pros

Healthy gums don’t happen by chance. Good care and smart habits can keep you from needing gum work—or help your healing if you do need treatment!

Tips for better gums:

• Brush two times a day with a soft toothbrush
• Floss every day to get bits your brush misses
• Don’t skip your regular dentist visits—your dentist or hygienist can catch problems early
• If you smoke, try to stop—smoking hurts your gums
• Eat healthy foods for better teeth, gums, and bones

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a periodontist a “real” dentist?

Yes! Every periodontist starts as a dentist. They just go for extra schooling to treat gum problems and do gum surgery.

Can a general dentist fix my gums?

Small problems, yes. For serious stuff—like big gum loss, bone damage, or implant work—it’s safer to see a periodontist.

Is gum disease really that usual?

Yes. Nearly half of adults over 30 have some level of gum disease. That’s why regular checkups count.

Will treatment hurt?

Most treatments use numbing medicine or something to relax you. Keeping you comfy is always the most important thing.

Do I need a referral to see a periodontist?

Not every time, but it’s best to ask your general dentist first. They’ll know when you should see a specialist.

Key Takeaways

• A periodontist is a dentist—with extra training for gum health, bone, and implants.
• Regular dentists cover most basic dental needs, but periodontists are the go-to for tough cases.
• Watch for signs: bleeding gums, shrinking gums, loose teeth, and bad breath that won’t go away.
• Regular dentists and periodontists team up to keep your mouth and smile healthy.
• Healthy habits—brushing, flossing, and regular checkups—keep gum disease away.
• Dr. Joe Dental and other dental experts say working with specialists leads to the best, longest-lasting results.
• For great dental repairs, try our trusted dental ceramics lab for amazing work.
• Don’t wait if you have gum problems. Quick action saves teeth, money, and pain!

Remember: A strong, healthy smile starts with the right care. If you or someone close to you has questions about gums or dental implants, talk to your dentist. And if you need a specialist, a periodontist is the one who’ll keep your smile standing tall for the long run.