Medically Reviewed By Dr. Tina Beck
Close Up of Males Mouth With Dental Mirror Inside's Mouth With Dental Mirror Inside

When searching for the right medical professional, it may be hard to know the right professional to call for your condition. For example, if you are having gastrointestinal pain, you may not know whether to see your general practitioner, or call a specialist in Poway. The same dilemma holds true in dentistry. Unfortunately, many people are less familiar with dental specialists than they are with other medical specialists. Many patients assume that their general dentist is the only professional they will ever need when caring for their teeth. What a lot of patients don’t know is that there are certain situations in which you will want to seek the opinion of a specialist.

One type of dental specialist is called a periodontist. Periodontists are trained to diagnose and treat infections of the gum tissue and bone. They also perform bone regenerative procedures to restore lost bone and gum support around previously affected teeth, perform periodontal cosmetic surgery procedures to treat gum recession, and place dental implants, among other specific dental procedures.

However, when do you know it’s time to see a periodontist? And when can you see only your general dentist?

How to Know When to See a Periodontist Instead of Your General Dentist

Choosing to see a periodontist versus a general dentist is going to depend on your condition. Here are a few points to consider:

If you have a periodontal concern, your dentist already has it in their files because these types of conditions don’t tend to develop overnight. Talk to your dentist first — ask them how serious your condition is and if they are qualified to handle it. Some dentists are experienced enough to manage mild periodontal needs, but if your case is more complex or you have moderate or severe periodontal disease, a periodontist is going to be better suited to treat your condition.

A periodontist can develop a partnership with your general dentist in Poway so that everyone involved in your treatment is on the same page and your dental care is streamlined. Don’t think of it as an “either/or” situation because your health and happiness are top priorities for all dental professionals that treat you.

Schedule a consultation with a periodontist in Poway if you have concerns about receding gums, dental implants or if you are suffering from periodontal disease. They will complete a full oral health evaluation using state-of-the-art equipment and provide you with the answers and treatment options that help to correct your condition. In your initial consultation, you may learn that you don’t need to see a periodontist to treat your condition, and they may refer you back to your general dentist for treatment. Either way, you will have peace of mind knowing that you’ve seen a specialist whose knowledge you can trust.

If you think you may need to see a periodontist, schedule an appointment with Dr. Tina Beck of Southern California Periodontics & Implantology. Dr. Beck is an experienced, board certified periodontist and visiting our Poway office is easy. There are no referrals required, we’re always accepting new patients, and we even accept walk-ins. Call today to schedule your appointment at (858) 635-6700.

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