Do I need a periodontist?

[CanadianJohn]

I've been going to the same dental practice for 20+ years. I never need anything, but get my teeth cleaned/scaled/polished by a hygienist, twice a year. The old dentist retired, and the new one is very "enthusiastic".

I go to see him on Monday, and I am sure he will recommend a periodontist for a "deep cleaning". I have a little problem with receding gums, but I know two other people who use the same dentist, and he has recently referred both of them to a periodontist.

I'm a bit suspicious - the periodontist is ludicrously expensive. I've got a nasty feeling, even assuming the dentist isn't receiving some kind of referral fee or emolument, that the dentist wants everyone to have the very best dental care, regardless of cost, discomfort, or inconvenience.

Please note I am in Canada - dentistry is a private practice. How do I trust the dentist?

perhaps try another dentist for a second opinion if he does suggest it.

Go with your gut instinct. Not sure what a periodontist is though, in the UK most dentist have hygienists that do a more thorough descale and clean up, separate to a check up.

My dad is almost 90 and sees his periodontist frequently even now. He has kept most of his teeth, although they are quite yellow now. The main reason for him still having his own teeth is the periodontist. They are the ones if you have gum disease, they sort out your roots and basically keep things sorted so you don't lose your teeth. I remember dad talking out his receding gums when i was a kid, so this has been going on for years. No idea how much it costs for the periodontist, but I think the going rate for an implant is about £2000 so the periodontist may work out cheaper in the long run.

Why do you think he will make you see a periodontist? That's a strange gut feeling to have tbh. If you don't want to see the specialist, don't see them. Carry on with the hygienist. You can always change practice if you aren't happy or think they are trying to get money out of you.

Surely it depends on how bad your gums are; do they bleed, are they red, sore, inflamed?

I have mild gingivitis upper quadrant, have a clean/ descale every 4 months and was told to use interdental brushes, mouthwash and so on in between. I was advised that if the 'pockets' of inflammation got worse then I'd need a deep clean ( under a local) by the hygienist.