Frequently Asked Questions

What is a periodontist ?
Periodontists are dental practitioners who specialise in the prevention and treatment of diseases of the tooth-supporting tissues – the periodontium. Severe or complex cases are usually referred to a periodontist, who will have undertaken additional training and acquired special expertise in the area.

Is the Periodontal treatment painful?
We will be as gentle as possible and we use topical anesthetics prior to any injections and offer different sedation options for those that have anxiety. The periodontal exam can be completed with little or no discomfort.

Do I Need X-Rays?
We will need current x-rays in order to diagnose and treat the periodontal disease appropriately. If your referring dentist has taken x-rays, you may request that they be forwarded to us.  In many cases, additional x-rays will be necessary and can be taken at our office.  This is especially true for patients where panoramic X-rays are needed as we have an in house Panoramic X-ray machine.

What Will It Cost?
Since all patients are different, the periodontist must complete your examination before establishing your treatment plan and fee for care. The fee for periodontal treatment can vary considerably depending on the types of problems, the complexity of your case and the length of your treatment. An approximate fee can usually be determined at the initial visit; but on occasion, some preliminary treatment or further diagnostics, including discussing your case with your referring dentist, must be completed before the final treatment planning can be established. Our philosophy of practice is to treat as conservatively as possible with the highest level of technology to attain treatment goals.

Will My Insurance Cover the Cost?
Dental insurance policies often cover a variety of periodontal treatments. Please bring all medical and dental benefit information and cards to your examination appointment. If it is required, we will submit a claim to predetermine your insurance benefits; however, this is not needed by most plans.

Will I Need Periodontal Surgery?
Not everyone needs periodontal surgery. If treated early, gum disease can be treated without surgery. We will make recommendations based on your individual situation.

Can My Teeth Be Saved?
The recent advances in periodontal treatment allow us to successfully treat most teeth, however, not all teeth can be saved.

When Will I Go Back To My General Dentist?
Our office and your dentist will work closely together.  An approximate timeline will be given to you at your consultation appointment.  We help you appoint ahead between offices and will send reminders as to when your appointments are scheduled with.  

What If I Don’t Have The Recommended Gum Treatment?
Periodontal disease is a progressive and painless infection of the bone in your mouth. Delay can cause you further bone loss and the eventual loss of teeth.  If you cannot afford the proposed treatment or do not want to go through periodontal surgery, there are non-surgical treatments that can be recommended, however, they may not be as effective.  For those individuals that do not have the recommended treatment performed, we do recommend that they be placed in an alternating recall system where cleanings will be performed in an alternating manner between the general dentist’s office and our office.  This gives us an opportunity to monitor your periodontal or gum health until you are ready to move forward with the recommended treatment.