What happens to someone with gum disease?

The result of gum disease varies depending on the severity as well as the patients overall health.  Early gum disease or gingivitis with no bone loss can usually be treated with a routine dental cleaning.  Severe periodontal disease usually results in tooth loss with possible overall systemic health implications.  In this picture taken in my Palm Harbor FL dental office, two upper molars and one upper bicuspid are visible shortly after they were extracted.  Periodontal or gum disease is treated on a regular basis by most dentists.  A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum disease.  Many periodontists also place dental implants, but they do not make the  dental crowns or dentures.  There is no dental specialty of oral implantology.