DentalNPI
Specialty

Periodontists in the U.S.

Gum disease, gum surgery, and dental implants. Featuring 60 top-ranked providers across 23 states, classified under the periodontist dental sub-specialty.

Verified · NPPES (CMS)refreshed May 7, 2026

National periodontist snapshot

Aggregates over 495 indexed periodontists in 51 states.

Indexed providersNPPES

495

Across 51 states.

Medicare-enrolledCMS

81%

400 of 495 have CMS enrollment on file.

HPSA-servingHRSA

9%

46 practice in HRSA-designated dental shortage areas.

Avg practice locationsCMS

1.1

Mean across CMS provider enrollment records — oral surgeons trend higher because of multi-site privileges.

Avg hospital affiliationsNPPES

1.0

Mean affiliated hospitals per provider with ≥1 affiliation.

Median industry paymentOpen Payments

$601

Calculated over 460 periodontists with disclosures. Higher in implant/oral-surgery specialties — disclosure is normal under federal Sunshine Act.

Top states

Years in practice (graduation → today)

Among indexed periodontists with a graduation year on file. Shape signals whether the specialty skews early- career or established.

  • 10–194
  • 30–394
  • 40+4

Browse periodontists by state

Featured providers

Sorted by content score

Showing the top 60 nationwide. For deeper lookups, pick a state above.

What is a periodontist?

A periodontist specializes in the structures around the teeth: gums, bone, and the periodontal ligament. They treat gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), perform gum and bone grafts, place dental implants, and handle aesthetic gum procedures like crown lengthening.

Training

After dental school, a periodontist completes a 3-year accredited residency in periodontics and implant dentistry. Board certification is through the American Board of Periodontology.

When to see one

  • Bleeding, receding, or persistently red gums
  • A diagnosis of moderate-to-severe gum disease (periodontitis)
  • Loose adult teeth with no other obvious cause
  • Dental implants — surgical placement or maintenance
  • Cosmetic gum procedures (gum reshaping, crown lengthening)
  • Bone grafting before implants

Typical costs

Uninsured cash estimates from FAIR Health and ADA Health Policy Institute. Prices vary widely by region.

Scaling & root planing (per quadrant)
$200–$400
Gum graft (per site)
$600–$1,200
Crown lengthening (cosmetic)
$1,000–$3,000
Dental implant (placement only)
$1,500–$3,000
Frequently asked

Questions about periodontists

  • Is gingivitis the same as periodontitis?
    No. Gingivitis is reversible inflammation of the gums and is treated with cleaning and better home care. Periodontitis is bone loss around the tooth and is not reversible — it's managed to stop progression. Untreated gingivitis can become periodontitis.
  • Will I lose teeth if I have gum disease?
    Not necessarily. Caught early and managed well, most patients with periodontitis keep their teeth for life. The main predictor is consistent home care plus 3- or 4-month maintenance cleanings rather than every-6-month cleanings.
  • Why a periodontist for an implant rather than a general dentist?
    Periodontists handle implants in patients with gum disease, bone loss, or grafting needs — all common scenarios. For straightforward implant placement in healthy bone, a general dentist with surgical training is also a reasonable choice.
  • Does insurance cover deep cleanings (scaling and root planing)?
    Most plans cover deep cleanings (D4341/D4342 codes) when there is documented bone loss and pocket depths greater than 4mm. Routine prophylactic cleanings are billed differently and covered separately.