04/12/2016 15:29
Did you know that over four thousand dentists are periodontists? That means they studied in order to become a specialist in the prevention, identification, and treatment of severe gum disease, otherwise known as periodontal disease.
The education needed in order to become a periodontist is extensive. They must have first completed two years of undergraduate work, as well as pass a dental admissions test, to have been admitted to any dental school in the country. Dental school consists of four years of classes and lab work, followed by at least two years of treating patients in a clinic environment. This was followed by the National Board Exam, which must be passed in order to move on to graduate school, where they extensively studied periodontics. After passing the Graduate Record Exam, they then must also pass written and practical tests in order to become licensed and board certified.
In addition to being an expert in periodontal disease, Los Angeles periodontists also perform scaling and root planning. This is required when the infected surface of a root needs cleaning. They also perform root surface debridement, in which damaged tissue is removed. Periodontists are also trained in the placement, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.
