Periodontist

Periodontics

A Periodontist is a dentist who has completed a rigorous post doctoral residency in Periodontics.  Upon completion of a three year training program, Periodontists face a challenging examination process to achieve board certification, or Diplomate status.  Only a small percentage of Periodontists achieve this status.  Periodic recertification ensures that Diplomates such as Doctor Bouffard remain proficient in all clinical and technological advancements in the profession.

Periodotists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Periodontal (gum) disease and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.  Periodontists are experts in the treatment of all forms of periodontal disease, including gingivitis, periodontitis and gingival recession.  Dr. Bouffard strives to provide his patients with the highest level of care, using the most advanced technology and techniques.  He regularily attends continuing education courses and provides lectures and training to the dental community through study clubs and dental continuing education.

TREATMENT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

 
Periodontal disease cannot be fully cured at this time. However, there are a variety of treatment options available. To recommend your particular treatment plan, we will start by employing conservative treatments based on your current stage of periodontal disease. We will follow up with you regularly during treatment to determine whether to continue with your current plan, advance to more aggressive treatment options, or shift into the maintenance care phase of treatment.

Conservative treatment for periodontal disease includes several options:

• Deep cleaning or planing to remove plaque and calculus from your teeth
• Prescription mouth rinse to chemically treat the bacterial infection
• Over-the-counter fluoride treatment to help prevent tooth decay
• Certain toothpastes may assist in disrupting bacteria in the mouth

More aggressive therapy includes surgical options, such as:

• Pocket reduction to reduce the depth of gum pockets
• Bone grafting or bone regeneration to help restore lost bone tissue
• Gum grafting to make thinning gums more resistant to infection or to cover exposed teeth roots

Once periodontal disease treatment has successfully completed, we will shift your treatment to a maintenance care stage to ensure the disease does not recur or progress further.