Questions You May Want to Ask Our Periodontists
As you already may know, periodontists specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating gum diseases.
Generally, you'll begin seeing a periodontist after having been referred by your general dentist (assuming your dentist isn't prepared to help you with your gum disease -- or the disease has progressed to a stage where it's best for a specialist to take over).
Because you may not know the periodontist, you may want to ask them a few questions on your first visit (or perhaps in advance).
Question 1: How do you handle patients who are scared or nervous about their treatment?
This may be a question to ask before you visit the office, especially if you expect a dental phobia to impact your treatment.
Anxiety about dentist and periodontist are normal. Fortunately, the treatment options that are available to you as a patient are really less scary than they may sound.
In fact, most of our patients make it a point to tell us that, "hey, that was not where as uncomfortable or scary as I was thinking it might be. Thanks!"
We walk through our procedures to make our patients comfortable before, during and after their procedures. In addition, most procedures are either minimally invasive or will utilize approaches -- like laser surgery -- that tremendously lessen the amount of pain or discomfort felt by the patient.
Question 2: How will you treat my issues?
Good question! Before any treatment is provided (and after a full examination is made), the periodontist will sit with you and outline exactly how they will handle your specific condition. We'll discuss all of your options before proceeding and will work to ensure that you're knowledgeable -- and comfortable -- about the proposed treatment plant.
Your questions are important and will help you better understand 'what's going on' while our staff is working on your teeth and gums. Most patients, once they have a good understanding of what the doctor is working on, will feel more comfortable with their visit.
It also allows them to ask more 'concrete' questions and get the substantial answers to those questions. It also allows for the family members of our patients to better understand what may be going on with their spouse, parent or child.
Would you like to schedule a visit?
If you have more questions for our office or our doctors, please call our office at 772-919-7093.
