What is a Periodontist?

Dr. Green is a periodontist which is a dentist which specializes in the soft tissues of the mouth and the underlying jawbone which supports the teeth. A dentist must first graduate from an accredited dental school before undertaking an additional three years of study within a periodontology residency training program, in order to qualify as a periodontist.

The primary focus of this residency training is on both surgical and non surgical management of periodontal disease and the placement of dental implants.

Conditions Treated by a Periodontist

Dr. Green is mainly concerned with preventing the onset of gum disease (periodontal disease), diagnosing conditions affecting the gums and jawbone, and treating gingivitis, periodontitis and bone loss. Periodontal disease is a progressive condition and the leading cause of tooth loss among adults in the developed world.

Dr. Green is able to treat mild, moderate and advanced gum disease by first addressing the bacterial infection at the root of the problem, providing periodontal treatment, then providing information and education on good oral hygiene and the effective cleaning of the teeth.

The most common conditions treated by Dr. Green are:

Gingivitis – This is the mild inflammation of the gums which may or may not be signified by pain and bleeding.
Mild/moderate periodontitis – When the pockets between the teeth and the soft tissues are measured to be between 4-6mm it is classified as moderate periodontitis (gum disease).
Advanced periodontitis – When the pockets between the teeth and the soft tissues in general exceed 6mm in depth, significant bone loss may occur; causing shifting or loss of teeth.
Missing teeth – When teeth are missing as a result of bone loss, Dr. Green can implant prosthetic teeth. These teeth are anchored to the jawbone and restore functionality to the mouth.

Treatments Performed by a Periodontist

Dr. Green is able to perform a wide range of treatments to halt the progression of gum disease, replace missing teeth and make the appearance of the smile more aesthetically pleasing.

Here are some of the treatments commonly performed by Dr. Green:

Implant placement – When a tooth or several teeth are missing, Dr. Green is able to create a natural-looking replacement by anchoring a prosthetic tooth to the jawbone.
Osseous surgery (hard tissue recontouring) – Once periodontitis has been treated, Dr. Green can recontour the hard tissue to make the smile both natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing.
Gum grafting – As gums recede due to periodontitis, gum grafting procedures may be performed to improve the periodontal health of the teeth. Grafting procedures may also cover exposed root surfaces and give the tooth a more natural esthetic appearance.
Bone grafting – May be performed to "re-grow" bone on natural teeth that has been lost to periodontal disease. May also be utilized in implant therapy to provide sufficient bone volume for placement of the implant.
Scaling and root planing (deep pocket cleaning) – As gingivitis and periodontitis progress, it becomes more difficult to cleanse the pockets between the soft tissues and the teeth. Scaling and root planing is performed to clean the root surfaces and pockets (under local anesthetic) and remove debris and infection-causing bacteria.
Crown lengthening – In order to expose more of the natural tooth, Dr. Green can remove some of the surrounding gingival (and bone) tissue to allow your dentisit to fabricate a new crown. Sometimes this procedure is performed to improve a "gummy" smile which can create a beautiful smile!

Dr. Green is a highly skilled dental health professional who is able to diagnose and treat many commonly occurring soft tissue and bone problems in the oral cavity.

Be sure to ask Dr. Green if you have any questions or concerns.

Testimonials

I'd like to take just a couple moments of your time to share my thoughts regarding my positive experiences with Dr. Green.

I first came to his practice prior to getting a dental implant. My implant preparations required a bone graft and other gum work. Needless to say, I was nervous and a bit apprehensive. From the very beginning, Dr. Green and his extraordinary staff put me at ease and took the time to answer all the questions I kept coming up with. I was impressed with how everything was handled; from the beginning post-op. I never felt rushed or that I wasn't important. Dr. Green clearly explained what was going to happen, the timeframes and yes, even my responsibilities. In my opinion, his dental skills are first rate. I was very pleased with the results of his work.

It goes without saying that when I needed some additional periodontal work on other teeth, I didn't hesitate to see Dr. Green. I knew he would take care of me in the same caring and professional manner as before and I was right. He and his capable staff took care of me and my problems. I would highly recommend Dr. Green. If you need periodontal work, please don't hesitate to make an appointment.

Rich E.

When my dentist told me that he recommended I have a gum graft and was referring me to Dr. Green, I felt a bit anxious as it sounded like a painful procedure. After meeting with Dr. Green and his professional staff I felt a lot more comfortable with the idea. The area had deep recession, but Dr. Green was confident that he could successfully repair it. I had the procedure done with very little discomfort. Dr. Green and his assistant made sure I was comfortable the entire time. I also appreciated the personal follow up call that evening to make sure everything was fine. The graft turned out great. I have since had another graft done on the other side of my mouth with the same results. I would definitely recommend Dr. Green and his staff for periodontal procedures.

Thomas K.