Periodontics

Periodontology, or Periodontics, is the branch of dentistry which studies supporting structures of teeth, and diseases and conditions that affect them.

The supporting tissues are known as the periodontium, which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament. The word comes from the Greek words peri meaning around and odons meaning tooth. Literally taken, it means study of that which is "around the tooth".

Periodontal disease

Periodontal diseases take on many different forms but are usually a result of a coalescence of bacterial plaque biofilm accumulation of the gingiva and teeth, combined with host immuno-inflammatory mechanisms and other risk factors which lead to destruction of the supporting bone around natural teeth. Untreated, these diseases lead to alveolar bone loss and tooth loss and, to date, continue to be the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Periodontists

A Periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases, and the surgical placement and long term maintenance of dental implants.

United States

Periodontology is one of the nine recognized dental specialties of the American Dental Association. The American Academy of Periodontology is the governing body for the specialty in the United States.

Periodontists (USA) must complete a 4 year undergraduate college degree, then graduate from an accredited dental school (DDS or DMD degree), and then complete an additional 3 to 7 years of formal training in an accredited periodontology residency program (obtaining a certificate and sometimes a Master of Science / Doctor of Science / Doctor of Medical Science / Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Periodontology). The focus of periodontal residency training is on learning skills for: the surgical and non-surgical management of periodontal diseases, the surgical treatment of correcting gingival abnormalities (gingival recession, gummy smiles, etc), all phases of dental implant treatment planning and surgery, and management of dental implant complications.

Periodontists may also earn Board Certification by the American Board of Periodontology after completion of an American Dental Association accredited residency training program in Periodontics and passing a comprehensive written and oral exam. Board Certified periodontists are awarded the title "Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology".

Famous periodontists include Sigurd Ramfjord, Jorgen Slots, Jan Lindhe, Hessam Nowzari, Sture Nyman, Gerald Bowers, Edward A. Marcus, Harold Loe, Robert Schallhorn, Fermin Carranza, James Mellonig, Stuart Froum, Dennis Tarnow, Clifford Ochsenbein, and William V. Giannobile.

India

Periodontics is offered as a specialization field of dentistry in India. Periodontists attend a Master of Dental Surgery (M.D.S) program affiliated with dental schools in India. The minimum qualification required for the M.D.S degree is a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S) degree.

United Kingdom

The British Society of Periodontology exists to promote the art and science of periodontology. Their membership includes specialist practitioners, periodontists, general dentists, consultants and trainees in restorative dentistry, clinical academics, dental hygienists and therapists, specialist trainees in periodontology, and many others.