| What
to Expect on Your First Periodontal Visit
Your
general dentist has determined that your gums require special care,
and has referred you to a periodontist. Periodontists are dentists
who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gum
disease. By referring you to a periodontist, your dentist is showing
a strong commitment to optimal dental care.
Periodontists
have had extensive advanced training in the treatment of periodontal
disease. As specialists, they devote their time, energy and skills
to help people who need periodontal treatment. Periodontics is one
of the eight specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
What
happens on the first visit?
On
your first visit, you will arrive 15 minutes early in order to complete
all of the necessary forms to prepare for your first visit. We will
then review your medical and dental history as well as any xrays
you have brought with you or have been forwarded from your general
dentist. If you have not had any xrays taken recently, you will
be able to take them at our office at the time of your appointment.
You will then be seeing Dr. Lindsay who will examine your gums,
teeth and mouth. This examination will include looking at the color
and firmness of your gums, studying which teeth are loose and checking
how much gum tissue has been lost.
After
gathering this information, Dr. Lindsay will discuss your condition
with you and suggest the most helpful treatment for your dental
health. In the earlier stages of gum disease, most of the treatment
involves scaling and root planning, which means removing plaque
and calculus in the pockets around the tooth and smoothing the root
surfaces. This procedure is performed in our office in convenient
1 or 2 hour sessions by one of our specially trained Periodontal
Hygienists under the care and supervision of Dr. Lindsay. In most
cases of early gum disease, scaling, root planning, periodontal
maintenance appointments (regular deep cleanings) and proper daily
cleaning of the teeth are all that are required for a satisfactory
result.
More
advanced cases may require surgical treatment. The goals of this
treatment are to remove calculus from deep pockets around the teeth,
shrink the pockets, smooth root surfaces and arrange gum tissue
into a shape that will be easier to keep clean. More information
on each of these possibilities is included in our Patient Library
under Periodontics. Whatever your treatment plan entails, Dr. Lindsay’s
goal is to bring you to a state of good oral health, and then help
you maintain it.
Does
periodontal treatment hurt?
Improved
equipment, local anesthetics and modern techniques make periodontal
treatment more comfortable now than ever before. Effective methods
of sedation can be used at your convenience to ensure that every
visit is a stress-free one. As with other aspects of periodontal
treatment, considerations for your comfort during and after treatment
will be tailored to best suit your individual needs.
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