Meaning & use
periodontist
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablemedical
A dentist who specializes in treating the gums and the bone that supports the teeth.
Grammar: Countable: a periodontist, many periodontists.
Patterns
- see a periodontist
- refer someone to a periodontist
My dentist referred me to a periodontist because my gums kept bleeding.
The periodontist explained how to stop the gum disease from spreading.
A periodontist can also place dental implants.
Word forms
| plural | periodontists |
|---|
Common combinations
- see a periodontist
- You should see a periodontist about receding gums.
- refer to a periodontist
- The dentist referred him to a periodontist.
- periodontist appointment
- She has a periodontist appointment on Friday.
- board-certified periodontist
- He is a board-certified periodontist.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gum specialist
- Gum specialist is an informal description, whereas periodontist is the exact professional title.
- dentist
- Dentist is the general term; a periodontist has extra training in gums and supporting bone.
- endodontist
- An endodontist treats the inside of the tooth, such as root canals, not the gums.
Word family
- periodontics noun
- the branch of dentistry for gums
- periodontal adjective
- relating to the tissue around the teeth
- periodontitis noun
- serious gum disease
Commonly confused: periodontist or orthodontist?
periodontist vs orthodontist
An orthodontist straightens teeth with braces; a periodontist treats gums and supporting bone.
Practice
Dana has severe gum disease, so her dentist sent her to a ____ .
Choose one answer.
A periodontist treats gum disease. An orthodontist straightens teeth, a pediatrician treats children and a podiatrist treats feet.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “periodontist”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.