Greek ondonte meaning “tooth” and arrest meaning “around”, periodontics or periodontology is the specialty of dentistry which is interested in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and supporting tissues of the tooth (namely the alveolar bone, the gum but also the ligament).

As the association of periodontists of Quebec ² wrote to stress the importance of the discipline, “ we do not undertake the renovation of the basement when the foundations are cracked ».

Note that the periodontium refers to the structure surrounding the tooth. This consists of a crown covered with enamel (the part visible in the mouth), and a root, which anchors the tooth in the jawbone, under the gum.

The periodontist treats periodontal disease (or periodontal disease), which are bacterial or microbial infections that slowly deteriorate the supporting tissues of the tooth.

Bacteria accumulate at the junction between the tooth and the gum and cause localized and inflammatory conditions, such as gingivites, or they infiltrate more, like the periodontitis. Gingivitis and periodontitis are inflammatory diseases affecting the gum and bone around the teeth. They are the main causes of tooth loss in adults.

Thus, the periodontist treats people with the following symptoms:

• the presence of periodontal pockets (these are large spaces under the gum tissue that damage the connection between the root of the tooth and the gum);
• sore gums;
• bleeding gums;
• loose teeth;
• or even bad breath.

Note that people with an immune deficiency are more prone to this type of disease. Other risk factors are recognized to favor the occurrence of periodontal diseases. These include:

• poor hygiene, for example with the presence of dental plaque (a small sticky and white coating resulting from the accumulation of bacteria from food and saliva) or tartar (calcification of dental plaque);
• smoking³;
• or even stress.

The role of the periodontist is to maintain the health, the function but also the aesthetics of the structures surrounding the tooth.

His scope of practice includes periodontal plastic surgery and dental implants. The goal is to allow his patients to keep their teeth and their smile.

For this, the specialist may have to practice:

• x-rays, to establish the anatomy of the teeth and the bone supporting them;
• curettages;
• descaling;
• placement of dental implants;
• a bone graft (especially for the treatment of periodontitis);
• or a gum graft.

The consultation with a periodontologist does not involve any particular risks for the patient. It is even advisable to treat periodontal diseases as quickly as possible, since they have the particularity of not necessarily being visible, but when they do, they are generally at a well advanced stage …

Become a periodontologist in France

To become a specialist in periodontics, the course to follow is as follows:

• a common first year in health studies, knowing that an average of less than 20% of students manage to cross this milestone;
• then, the students carry out 5 years of study of odontology;
• at the end of the 5th year, they follow a short cycle of one year, which prepares them for the practice of the profession of dentist;
• at the end of this 6th year, they pursue a final year to obtain a CES (graduate certificate) in periodontology.

Become a periodontologist at Québec

The curriculum is as follows:

• students must follow a doctoral degree in dentistry, for 1 years (or 4 years if college or university candidates do not have sufficient training in basic biological sciences);
• then they carry out a specialty during 3 years in periodontics.

To find a specialist in periodontics:

• in Quebec, you can consult the website of the Ordre des dentistes du Québecâ ?? ´ or that of the federation of specialist dentists of Quebecâ ?? µ;
• in France, via the website of the National Order of Dentistsâ ?? ¶.