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Collaborative care and tailored treatment support the long-term health of your gums
If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, your dentist may have told you that a consultation with a periodontist is the next step. Washington Periodontics welcomes the opportunity to be your first choice as you search for a periodontist near me in Burke, Virginia. Our office is led by an experienced Board-certified periodontist, Dr. Christine Karapetian.
What does Board certification mean? And why does it matter?
When you see that a periodontist is “Board certified,” you can be confident that every phase of your treatment is in the most capable and safest hands. As such a specialist, Dr. Karapetian completed additional specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease beyond the mandatory educational requirements. Additionally, to maintain this certification, Dr. Karapetian must continue to demonstrate her knowledge and mastery of periodontics.
Will you or my general dentist treat my gum disease?
Periodontists like Dr. Karapetian work alongside the general dentists who refer their patients to us. Oral health is a long-term journey, so it is essential for us to coordinate services and interventions with your dentist. When your dentist’s considerable knowledge of your medical and dental history and our team’s extensive, specialized expertise combine, this collaborative approach supports tailored treatment plans that effectively and efficiently restore and sustain the health of your gums.
How often will I need to visit you?
No two patients are alike. So, no two treatment experiences are exactly the same. Following initial treatments to resolve active disease, Dr. Karapetian will generally want to get you into a schedule of routine periodontal maintenance. This program includes a thorough professional cleaning to remove dangerous bacterial plaque and its hardened form, tartar. The health of your gums is also regularly evaluated and monitored. With ongoing monitoring, Dr. Karapetian detects problems early and recommends adjustments in care to stop damage from getting worse. Preventing disease is always preferred to treating it. In that vein, periodontal maintenance appointments may also be ideal to detect early-stage disease, too, which helps you avoid the need for periodontal treatment. Factors that influence the frequency of appointments include:
- The condition of your gums
- The severity of gum disease
- Presence of bone loss
- Extent of bone loss
- Overall health
- Smoking and other lifestyle-oriented risks
- Genetic predisposition
It’s also important to know that your periodontal maintenance program is not static, because your health can evolve over time. Dr. Karapetian’s recommendations for care keep pace with your needs.
We would love to hear from you
New Patients: (571) 569-7540 | Existing Patients: (703) 569-4040
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What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to periodontal care?
People tend to write off early symptoms like red, puffy gums and bleeding as “not a big deal.” However, patients should never wait until they feel pain to visit the dentist. By the time gum disease is painful, severe damage may have already occurred. During routine visits, our professionals can also demonstrate good brushing and flossing techniques, and provide tips that are personalized to your unique needs and challenges. For instance, some people brush too hard. We can show you techniques that are gentle to your gums, but still effectively get the job done. Dr. Karapetian and our team may also suggest oral care products that are tailored to your needs and support more effective and safe cleaning.
Now that we’ve answered a few questions about professional periodontal care, we look forward to hearing from you and discussing your specific concerns. Call Washington Periodontics at (571) 569-7540 to speak with a member of our team in Burke, VA today.
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Connect with Dr. Christine Karapetian, DDS on LinkedIn
Dr. Christine Karapetian is a respected periodontist and dental implant specialist in Burke, VA. She earned her DDS and a certificate in Periodontics from New York University College of Dentistry, where she also served as chief resident. A Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, Dr. Karapetian is a fellow and member of many reputable organizations, also serving as President of the Northern Virginia Dental Society and Co-Chair of Give Kids a Smile-Northern Virginia. Recognized for her expertise and leadership, she has received numerous accolades, including being named a “Top Dentist” in Periodontics by multiple magazines.