Periodontal health should be achieved in the least invasive manner. This can frequently be accomplished through non-surgical treatment, such as scaling and root planing, followed by adjunctive therapy as needed. Oftentimes, after scaling and root planing, many patients will not require further active treatment, such as surgery. However, non-surgical therapy does have its limitations and surgery may be indicated to restore or enhance the anatomy damaged by periodontal diseases and to facilitate oral hygiene practices. It is also important to realize that the majority of patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy in order to maintain their periodontal health.
In addition to procedures designed to treat periodontal diseases, specific surgical procedures to facilitate restorative dental treatments may also be necessary. Furthermore, periodontists also specialize in various cosmetic procedures aimed at enhancing the smile and general appearance of the periodontal anatomy.
If teeth have been lost to periodontal disease or for other reasons, dental implants may be the treatment of choice. Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of the dental implant team.