My dentist is great… So why see a specialist?

Image of Dr Longbottom sitting with a patient - who is an older European female - and discussing their treatment plan

Sometimes we have patients who are unsure as to why they need to visit our clinic as well as go to their general dentists. On the surface, it can seem like we do similar things. Here’s an insight into why you might need to see a specialist, and we hope it encourages you to always prioritise your health. 

Gum Treatments

When you see us for periodontal disease, you will be seen for a full assessment, and then diagnosed by Dr Longbottom or Dr Tan, our specialist periodontists. Then you are treated and closely monitored by one of our specially trained clinicians. This can be confusing, because you may be accustomed to seeing a hygienist for cleans at your regular dental practice. However at Noble Dental, our clinicians are specifically trained in identifying, treating, and monitoring gum disease. They also maintain close communication with the periodontist, and alert them with any concerning signs or symptoms you may have. 

While it seems similar to your standard dental check-up, it’s important not to compromise on your treatment unless you’ve already discussed it with both a specialist and your dentist. Our main goal is keeping the teeth that you have in your mouth for as long as possible. 

Gum Grafting and Cosmetic Surgeries

Our specialist periodontists have received specific training for these advanced procedures and it is rare to find a general dentist who does them. To learn more about what a periodontist does, check out this handy page from perio.org. If you have any concerns, give us a call.

Dental Implant Surgery

This is an often debated subject. We think it’s a safer choice to have your implants placed by a periodontal specialist, as they have experience with more difficult implant cases. At Noble we have placed thousands of implants over many years. We use well-researched implant systems which have shown long term success. As one of our patients once said, “you get what you pay for”. In other words - don’t always go down the path of least resistance financially, because you may end up paying for it later. (See our blog on tourism dentistry here). 

We understand that seeing a specialist can be nerve-racking and expensive. If you are worried, give our team a call on 09 524 2855, or read our blog on financing your dental health here. 


Katie L.