A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. A periodontist also plans, places and maintains dental implants.

Periodontal disease is a chronic infection of the gum tissue, ligaments and bone that surround the teeth. This infection is caused by the presence of a bacterial film that forms on the teeth and gums called plaque.

Periodontal diseases can be accelerated by a number of different factors (diabetes, smoking, or other health conditions); however, it's mainly caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not carefully removed by daily brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into a rough, porous substance known as calculus (or tartar). Bacteria found in plaque produces toxins or poisons that irritate the gums, which may cause them to turn red, swell and bleed easily. If this irritation is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form. As periodontal diseases progress, the supporting gum tissue and bone that hold teeth in place deteriorate. Left untreated, this leads to tooth loss.

The best way to prevent gum disease is effective daily brushing and flossing as well as regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease gets started, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.

During your first visit, your periodontist will review your complete medical and dental history with you. It's extremely important for your periodontist to know if you are taking any medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) or if you are being treated for any condition that can affect your periodontal care.

You will then be given a complete oral and periodontal examination. Your periodontist will examine your gums, check to see if there is any gumline recession, assess how your teeth fit together when you bite and check your teeth to see if any are loose. After that, your periodontist will take a small measuring instrument and place it between your teeth and gums to determine the depth of those spaces, know as periodontal pockets. This helps your periodontist assess the health of your gums. This examination is so simple, you may barely feel it.

Next, radiographs (x-rays) will be used to show the bone levels between your teeth to check for possible bone loss. Following your examination, your periodontist will review all of the findings with you, discuss your conditions and suggest the various treatment options available to you along with the benefits and possible risks of each.

You need periodontal surgery because your periodontist has determined that the tissues around your teeth are unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment.

New treatment options using refined techniques can be performed comfortably as office procedures. Improvements in medications, local anesthesia, anxiety and pain control, and, in some cases, conscious sedation, are available to make your treatment more pleasant and comfortable.

You are perfectly fine to drive yourself home after your surgical appointment. The only time you cannot drive yourself home, is if you are being sedated or taking an oral sedative. In that case, you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

Dental insurance payments unlike medical insurance payments, are based on a contract that your employer purchased for you.

Payment is not based on need.

Payment is based on whether or not that treatment is in the contract. If it is not in the contract, it is not covered!

Many insurance plans pay a portion of periodontal services. However, every company has a specific contracted plan. If you have insurance concerns, please call your insurance company ahead of time. Your periodontal health is important, so talk to your periodontist about payment options. We have several different financing and payment plans available. (Financial Options)

Dental insurance has a yearly maximum that they pay out. That means if your yearly maximum is $1000.00, that is all they will pay for that year . The most common yearly maximums are, $1000.000, $1500.00 and sometimes $2000.00. Call your insurance company to find out what the yearly maximum is for your plan and how much you have already used for the year before you have treatment done so there are no surprises.

The amount your plan pays is determined by how much was paid for the plan. The less paid in premiums for the insurance, the less you will receive in benefits.

The insurance company's goal is profit! Quality of care is not their main priority.

Many plans tell their insured they will cover 80% or up to 100%, but do not clearly specify plan fee schedule allowances, annual maximums, or limitations. We have found that most plans cover about 35% to 65% of major services based on the plan's pre-established maximum fee allowances, which varies from carrier to carrier.