Periodontics in Houston, TX

A general dentist is your primary dental care provider and handles a wide range of needs including cleanings, fillings, crowns, and routine gum care. A periodontist is a dental specialist who has completed an additional two to three years of residency training focused exclusively on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease and the supporting structures of the teeth — including bone. Periodontists perform surgical procedures such as gum grafting, bone regeneration, osseous surgery, and the surgical placement of dental implants. At OHSD, our general dentists handle most routine and non-surgical periodontal care, and we refer to our partner periodontist Dr. Rossi at PHP for cases that require surgical intervention.

It depends on the stage. Gingivitis — the earliest form — is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. Once gum disease progresses to periodontitis, however, the bone and tissue loss that has occurred cannot be fully reversed. What we can do is stop the progression, stabilize your gum health, and in some cases, use regenerative surgical techniques to partially restore lost bone and tissue. This is why early detection is so critical — catching gum disease in its earliest stages is the difference between a reversible condition and a manageable chronic one.

For our care partner Perio Health Professionals, patients are generally referred by a dentist rather than self-referring — this ensures the periodontist receives the clinical information they need to provide the right care from the first visit. If you're a patient of Oral Health & Smile Design and need periodontal specialist care, we handle that referral directly, communicate with Dr. Rossi's team on your behalf, and ensure your records are transferred. If you're not yet a patient of ours and would like to be evaluated for a referral, you're welcome to call our office and schedule a new patient exam.

With local anesthesia, most patients are comfortably numb throughout the procedure and feel little to no discomfort during the appointment. After the anesthesia wears off, it's common to experience some sensitivity and mild soreness for a few days — similar to what you might feel after a vigorous cleaning. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable it is. Our team takes care to explain everything beforehand so you know exactly what to expect, and we go at a pace that's comfortable for you.

Once you've been treated for periodontal disease, you'll transition to a periodontal maintenance schedule rather than standard six-month cleanings. Most periodontally treated patients are seen every three to four months. This more frequent schedule allows us to monitor pocket depths, clear any bacteria that reaccumulate before it causes damage, and catch any signs of reactivation early. Over time, some patients may be able to transition back to six-month intervals if their gum health remains stable — but this is assessed case by case.

Yes — and significantly. Research has established strong associations between periodontal disease and heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes (gum disease and diabetes worsen each other in a bidirectional relationship), preterm birth, respiratory disease, and other systemic conditions. The bacteria and inflammatory byproducts from gum infections can enter the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body. This is why we emphasize gum health not just as an oral health issue but as a whole-body health priority. If you have any of these systemic conditions, it's especially important to keep your periodontal care up to date.

Gum grafting is a surgical procedure that adds tissue to areas where gum recession has exposed tooth roots. It's performed by a periodontist — in our case, Dr. Rossi at Perio Health Professionals next door. Gum grafting is recommended when recession is significant enough to cause sensitivity, increase cavity risk at the root surface, or put a tooth's long-term stability at risk. The procedure uses tissue from the roof of your mouth or donor tissue to cover exposed roots and thicken the gum tissue at the graft site. Recovery is typically one to two weeks. Dr. Rossi also offers the minimally invasive Pinhole Surgical Technique as an alternative to traditional grafting for appropriate candidates.