What is a Periodontist?

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A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment and management of the teeth-support apparatus, the periodontium. The word “periodontium” is self-explanatory, as it means “around the tooth” — excuse our Greek!

Your periodontium consists of your gums, called gingiva. It’s also made up of bone, ligament and mineralized tissue. Every part of the periodontium can be impacted by disease. A periodontist has special training in preventing and treating these diseases of the periodontium.

Our periodontist in Edmonton works to achieve one or more of three goals:

  • Treating inflammation of the periodontium, or periodontitis
  • Preparing the foundation for different dental treatments, such as crowns, implants and braces
  • Improving esthetics

 

To achieve the above goals, our periodontist in Edmonton utilizes surgical and non-surgical skills and procedures, mastered in a 3-year post-graduate program.

dentist examining a patient's mouth

Types of Periodontal Treatments

A periodontist has the knowledge and skills of a dentist plus additional specialized training in periodontics. They are prepared to treat and prevent periodontal diseases in many different ways, such as:

Dental Implant

A procedure involving a titanium screw-like structure that acts as the root of the tooth to support a crown.

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Soft Tissue Graft

A surgical procedure commonly used to treat root exposure and to address gum recession.

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Crown Lengthening

The removal of gum tissue to expose more of the tooth surface.

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Tooth Extractions

An option sometimes used to treat severe gum disease.

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Frenectomy

A surgical procedure that releases the frenum, which connects the gums to the upper lip, used for cosmetics or to correct a diastema.

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Tongue Tie

A simple surgical procedure to release the tension on the frenulum, which allows the tongue to move more freely.

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Cosmetics

Periodontal procedures used to correct concerns such as exposed roots, high smile lines and more.

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Socket Preservation

A grafting procedure that helps maintain the bone volume in an area where a tooth has been removed.

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Guided Tissue Regeneration

A procedure that promotes the growth of new bone and tissue.

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Osseous Resective Surgery

A surgical procedure to reshape defects, eliminating bacteria-prone pockets.

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Open Flap Debridement

A surgical treatment exposing the bone and root surfaces to allow for more thorough cleaning and bacterial removal.

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Periodontist BDS PhD FRCD(c)

Dr. Mo Omar

Dentist Referral
Dr. Mo Omar

Availabilities

Whyte Ave Dental Choice

Hours of Operation

Thursday (alt)

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Friday (alt)

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Strathcona Dental Choice

Hours of Operation

Thursday (alt)

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Friday (alt)

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Dr. Mo Omar: Our Edmonton Gum Specialist

Your dentist may recommend a periodontist for specialized procedures or treating severe gum disease. Whether you need a deep cleaning of your teeth or gum surgery, our Edmonton periodontist can help. Meet Dr. Mo Omar.

Dr. Mo Omar (B.D.S., Ph.D., FRCDC) is a world traveler. He journeyed over 10,000 km from Cairo to treat patients at our office in Edmonton. On his way to Edmonton, Dr. Omar made a stop in Scotland — and not to just experience kilts and bagpipes. At the University of Dundee, he participated in post-graduate studies in oral cancer.

Dr. Omar then specialized in periodontics at the University of Alberta with the drive to help patients preserve their teeth and have healthy, beautiful smiles. He also worked on a project investigating the genetic connection between heart disease and gum disease — an endeavor that made him the first Ph.D. in periodontics at the university.

With his skills in surgical and nonsurgical periodontal procedures, Dr. Omar hopes to help his patients maintain their teeth as long as possible. In cases where patients have lost teeth due to periodontal disease or require a tooth extraction, Dr. Omar has the knowledge and experience to replace teeth with implants. He also can perform soft tissue grafts to restore gum health and appearance.

As a patient of Dr. Omar, you’ll get to experience his passion for teaching as well as his specialized skills. Patients often learn something new when they meet Dr. Omar.

When Dr. Omar’s not in the office helping patients, he’s likely with his wife, Sara. The couple can often be found cheering on their little gymnast, Leila, at a gymnastics competition. You might also find him at the gym or yoga studio and sometimes the dog park.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that you may have questions about periodontal disease and what to expect at your appointment. We’re happy to address your questions and concerns. Please contact our office for more information. You may also review our FAQs below to get started.

Can periodontal disease be cured?

“A periodontitis patient is a periodontist patient for life” — this is a consensus statement by the American Academy of Periodontology. This is to say that despite successful treatment, a periodontitis patient requires constant and continuous care in the form of hygiene and evaluations.

I do not feel any pain or discomfort, do I have periodontal disease?

In the vast majority of patients, periodontal disease is asymptomatic and goes completely unnoticed until the very advanced stages of the disease. This could take decades!

What causes periodontal disease?

The main cause of periodontal disease is bacteria that normally live in our mouths. Several factors render some individuals more susceptible to the disease, including genetics, diabetes, smoking and stress. However, the main factor is poor oral hygiene.

If you have periodontal disease, you are not alone. It’s the most common dental issue in Canada, with 70% of Canadians developing gum disease at some point. We’re here to support you on your journey to improved oral health, no matter what stage of gum disease you’re at.

Do I need to take time off after periodontal surgery?

Most people can fully go back to their normal life activities within 24 to 48 hours, or about 2 days, after periodontal surgery, so the decision to take time off is at your discretion.

Is CBCT always required for dental implants?

A regular radiograph is a 2-dimensional image of a 3-dimensional object — your teeth and jaw — whereas cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a 3-dimensional scan. Since the success of dental implants depends on the integration between implant and bone, it is critical to know the length and width of available bone at the time of planning. This can only be determined with a CBCT scan.

Do I need a bone graft before getting a dental implant?

This depends on the available bone at the site of interest, which is determined through a CBCT scan.

Can I get a dental implant at the same time as the tooth extraction?

In some cases, it is possible to extract the tooth and place an implant right away. This is known as an “immediate implant”. Whether an immediate implant is a good option depends on several factors including available bone, angulation of the tooth and the reason for extraction. A CBCT is necessary to evaluate most of these factors and hence the possibility of an immediate implant.

Does your Edmonton specialist offer direct billing?

Yes! At Dental Choice, we direct-bill insurance providers, meaning we will send your dental bill directly to your insurer for payment.

We also want to reassure you that there will be no financial surprises. Our team will provide a detailed estimate of what you’ll be expected to pay out-of-pocket for the dental procedures you have done.

Ready to Book Your Appointment?

If you have periodontal disease or any concerns about your oral health, we’re here for you at Dental Choice. Our periodontist, Dr. Omar, looks forward to meeting you and applying his years of experience to help you achieve a healthy smile.

Are you looking for dental services elsewhere? We also have offices in Red Deer and Calgary. Please contact us to learn more about our dental services at your preferred location.

It’s never too late to treat periodontal disease. You can start working toward a brighter smile with Dentists that Make the Difference when you book your appointment with us today!

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Edmonton

(780) 444-8936
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Red Deer

(403) 347-1525

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