Bleeding gums, gum recession, bone loss, loose teeth, or implant concerns may require care from a periodontist — a dental specialist focused on the gums, bone, and supporting structures of the teeth.
General dentists are essential for routine dental care, cleanings, fillings, and preventive dentistry. But when symptoms involve the gums, bone, advanced infection, recession, or dental implant planning, a periodontist may be the better specialist to evaluate and treat the problem.
Bleeding when brushing or flossing can be an early sign of gum disease and should not be ignored.
If your teeth look longer or roots are exposed, gum recession may require specialized periodontal treatment.
Loose teeth, shifting teeth, or bone loss around teeth are strong reasons to see a periodontist.
Periodontists are trained in implant placement, bone grafting, gum health, and implant maintenance.
Chronic bad breath can be connected to periodontal infection below the gumline.
If gum problems keep returning, specialist-level diagnosis and maintenance may be needed.
| General Dentist | Periodontist |
|---|---|
| Routine cleanings, fillings, exams, crowns, and general dental care. | Specialized care for gum disease, bone loss, gum recession, implants, grafting, and advanced periodontal therapy. |
| Best for routine maintenance and early dental needs. | Best when symptoms involve gums, bone support, advanced infection, loose teeth, or implant planning. |
Dr. Soma Lari is a board-certified periodontist serving patients in Tujunga, Glendale, La Crescenta, Burbank, Pasadena, and nearby Los Angeles communities. Her practice focuses on advanced gum disease treatment, dental implants, gum grafting, bone grafting, LANAP laser therapy, and periodontal maintenance.
In many cases, patients can schedule directly with a periodontist if they have gum disease symptoms, gum recession, loose teeth, bone loss, or implant concerns.
Yes. Bleeding gums may be a sign of gingivitis or periodontal disease, and a periodontist can diagnose the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
Gum recession can expose tooth roots, cause sensitivity, affect appearance, and increase risk for future problems. A periodontal evaluation can determine the best treatment option.
You should consider a periodontist if you have advanced gum disease, gum recession, loose teeth, bone loss, implant needs, or gum problems that keep returning.
Stress & Periodontal Health Can Stress Affect Your Gum Health? What chronic stress, grinding, inflammation, and changing routines can mean for your gums Stress is usually associated with headaches, poor sleep, irritability, or muscle tension, but it can also affect the mouth. When stress becomes frequent or prolonged, changes in...[read More]
How Long Do Dental Implants Last? Everything You Need to Know About Implant Longevity How Long Can Dental Implants Last? Dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution for replacing missing teeth, but one of the most common questions patients ask is: How long do dental implants actually last?...[read More]
GUM RECESSION Receding Gums: Causes, Consequences, and the 3 Most Effective Treatments Receding gums happen when the gum tissue surrounding a tooth gradually pulls away, exposing more of the tooth or its root. For some people, the change is subtle and develops over years. For others, sensitivity, visible roots, food...[read More]
The 5 Stages of Gum Disease: How It Progresses and Why Early Treatment Matters Gum disease is one of the most common oral health conditions, affecting millions of adults every year. The problem is that it often develops silently, with few or no symptoms in its early stages. By the...[read More]
Dental Implants vs. Bridges vs. Dentures: Which Tooth Replacement Option Is Best? Missing teeth can affect much more than your smile. They can make it difficult to eat, speak clearly, and maintain proper oral health. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several effective tooth replacement options, including dental implants, dental bridges, and...[read More]
What Is PRF Therapy? How Platelet-Rich Fibrin Helps You Heal Faster After Dental Procedures If you’re planning to have a dental implant, tooth extraction, gum graft, or other periodontal procedure, you may hear your periodontist mention PRF therapy. Many patients ask, “Is PRF the same as PRP?” According to Dr....[read More]
Tujunga’s FIRST and ONLY specialized practice for Dental Implants and Periodontics.
T: 818-925-8080
F: 818-925-2340
