Top Things You Should Know About Seeing a Periodontist

If your dentist has told you that you have periodontal disease, you could be wondering what the next steps are. You might be interested in seeing a specialist who can provide you with the care that you need. For example, now might be a good time to see a periodontist. If it's your first time seeing a periodontist, you may not know much about getting this type of dental care. These are some of the top things that you will probably want to know.

1. Your Dentist Might Give You a Referral

First of all, you don't necessarily have to reach out to a periodontist on your own. A periodontist might not even schedule an appointment with you if you don't have a referral. It's not a bad idea to see your regular dentist, ask them if it's a good idea for you to see a periodontist, and ask them for a referral. They should know about good periodontists in your area, or you can ask them for a referral to see a certain periodontist if you already have someone in mind.

2. It's Worth it to See a Periodontist

If you aren't sure of whether or not you want to see a periodontist for help with your periodontal disease—such as if you like your regular dentist—you should know that seeing one of these dental professionals is typically a good idea for people who are in your current situation. A periodontist has gone through additional schooling that is related specifically to periodontal disease and has experience with regularly seeing periodontal patients. They are better equipped to provide care for periodontal patients than a regular dentist is, so you can help ensure that you're getting the best care.

3. You'll Probably Need to See Them Frequently

Everyone needs to get regular dental care to help keep their teeth and gums nice and healthy. However, as someone who has been diagnosed with periodontal disease, you will probably find that you need to see a periodontist a bit more frequently than the average person might see a regular dentist. For example, instead of getting cleanings done every six months or year, your periodontist will probably recommend that you have them done once every three months. Additionally, they might schedule a variety of appointments so they can track your progress, perform various treatments and procedures, and more.

To learn more, contact a local periodontics clinic.