periodontist

American  

[per-ee-uh-don-tist] / ˌpɛr i əˈdɒn tɪst /

noun

1. a specialist in periodontics.

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Etymology

Origin of periodontist

First recorded in 1915–20; periodont(ics) + -ist

Explanation

If you have gum disease, you don't need a regular dentist — you need to see a periodontist, an expert who specializes in treating the gums and the bones surrounding your teeth. Periodontists are experts in periodontics, the study of conditions that affect the structures around your teeth. So a simple cavity doesn't require a visit to the periodontist, but gum inflammation or the need for a dental implant would warrant a trip to this dental specialist. The word periodontist comes from periodontal, literally "around the tooth," from the Greek roots peri-, "around," and odontos, "tooth."

Example Sentences

My dentist said a molar needed to be yanked because of a cellular breakdown called resorption, and a periodontist in his office recommended a bone graft and probably an implant.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

Hirschhorn, 55, began renting the guesthouse in September 2021 from a periodontist in Los Angeles’ Brentwood, the LA Times reported.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2023

In New York City, periodontist Scott Froum said he is exploring offering antibody tests to staff and patients when he reopens for routine care as an extra layer of protection against the virus.

From Washington Post • Apr. 19, 2020

His father is a periodontist in private practice in Tyler.

From New York Times • Sep. 29, 2019

His father was Muscatine’s periodontist and adapted easily to his new country, liking small-town America.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French