At New Age Dentist,  it is the care of the foundation of your smile. Periodontists are specialists who study the soft tissues (gums) and hard tissues (bone) that anchor your teeth. While a general dentist handles routine gum checks, a periodontist treats more complex conditions—primarily gingivitis (early gum inflammation) and periodontitis (advanced gum disease), which is a chronic inflammatory condition that can destroy bone and lead to tooth loss. They also perform surgical procedures like gum grafts and place dental implants.