Periodontal disease is a serious condition that needs to be diagnosed by a specialist. Many patients reach out to a periodontist at different stages of gum disease discomfort. We have worked with patients who periodically experience several symptoms associated with periodontal disease, such as swollen gums, bleeding gums when brushing, receding gums, bad breath, deep pockets between the gums and the teeth, loss of jawbone and gums support for the teeth, etc.
But, periodontal care is only one of the reasons you may want to schedule an appointment with a periodontist. A periodontist can also provide permanent solutions for tooth replacement, as their extensive knowledge of gum and jawbone health can be associated with dental implant services. A gum specialist can also offer cosmetic procedures focused on the gum area.
These are some of the reasons why you would be looking for a periodontist. However, finding the best periodontist in Philadelphia for your needs can be tricky. If you are unfamiliar with periodontics, these are the factors you need to consider to find a periodontist you can trust in Philadelphia.
A periodontist is a specialized dentist
Periodontists are dentists who have specialized in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum diseases and the secured placement of dental implants. Therefore, the first thing you want to consider when looking for the best periodontist is their education.
Periodontists graduate from an accredited dental school with a DDS, Doctor of Dental Surgery, or a DMD, Doctor of Medical Dentistry, degree. After their degree, they pursue their education with specialist periodontal training in an ADA-accredited (American Dental Association) periodontology residency program. The training period can last between 3 and 7 years, after which they pass the relevant written and oral examinations to receive their national board certification by the American Board of Periodontology (ABP). Periodontists need to demonstrate updated knowledge and competence in their area of expertise and pursue further education and activities in periodontistry to be regularly recertified by the ABP. Therefore, the first check you may want to perform to find a periodontist in your area is to review their certification on the ABP website. Certified periodontists become Diplomates of the ABP.
At The Perio Group, we are proud to say that Dr. I. Stephen Brown has a DDS degree and is a Diplomate of the ABP. He is also a respected Fellow of the American and International Colleges of Dentist, the Academy of Osseointegration, and a Fellow and Diplomate of the Internal Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. Brown was the first doctor in the country to add adult orthodontics training to his periodontist specialization.
Different types of periodontal procedures
Depending on your mouth health, medical history, and periodontal requirements, you may find that periodontists can provide a variety of gum-related procedures.
Periodontists provide non-surgical gum treatment, such as deep cleanings, tartar and plaque removal, bacterial toxins removal, etc. Non-surgical treatments are sometimes referred to as scaling and root planing. In the early stages of periodontal disease, gum treatments can be followed by medicated therapy to manage periodontal health.
If your periodontal disease is more advanced, you will be looking for a specialist who has a history of performing effective gum surgery procedures, such as removing infected gum tissue and encouraging the body’s natural ability to regenerate gum tissue and bone.
Periodontists can also provide services that protect or restore your teeth, including reshaping excess gum and bone tissues and osseointegration – the process of binding an artificial tooth root into the jaw. Dental implants are associated with osseointegration.
Pain and healing management
No procedure is likely to be entirely pain-free. Nevertheless, if your pain threshold is low or prevents you from seeking treatment, you want to look for a periodontist committed to reducing patients’ discomfort and stress. We are proud to offer minimally invasive procedures that speed up recovery time. Dr. Brown can perform Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) to eliminate infection and regenerate lost tissue. The Perio Group was also the first periodontics office to offer non-invasive gum-receding treatment in Philadelphia, with the Pinhole Surgical Technique.
We also appreciate that some of our patients may be nervous about periodontal procedures. We offer sedation dentistry to ensure our patients can feel as comfortable as possible during treatments.
A respected periodontist in their field
Finding a periodontist you trust takes time. But once you’ve considered their credentials and the types of treatment they offer, you can already get a better sense of their competences. A business that has been operated for several years is a sign that they are experienced, which can be an essential trust factor for patients who are worried about complex procedures. Reading online reviews about the business can provide sufficient insights into the quality of the treatments they offer and the level of satisfaction of other patients. Third-party reviews, such as Google Ratings, are an objective description of a periodontal business. We recommend that patients focus their attention on businesses that have 4 or more stars. Our periodontist, Dr. Brown, has been elected Top Dentist for the 11th time in Philadelphia Magazine 2020.
Additionally, you can also check the website for testimonials. If you prefer to judge the competence of a periodontist via visual clues, video or photo testimonials are the best source of information to find someone you trust.
Ease of making an appointment
You can’t afford to delay seeing a periodontist as it could aggravate your gum health issues. Therefore, it’s essential to consider an accessible location with suitable business hours.
At The Perio Group, we are dedicated to making appointment scheduling as stress-free and straightforward as possible. You can obtain an appointment via your doctor referral or directly get in touch with our team, (215) 735-3660. Alternatively, you can use the contact form on the website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brown. We are committed to our patients’ health, which is why we also provide virtual consultations whenever possible during Covid-19.