Periodontists are dental specialists focusing on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease and the placement of dental implants, and Atlanta’s large adult population with high rates of gum disease creates substantial referral demand for the city’s periodontal practices. The CDC estimates that nearly half of American adults over 30 have some form of periodontal disease, and Atlanta’s population of adults who delayed dental care during economic downturns or who smoke — a significant risk factor for gum disease — contributes to ongoing specialist demand. Periodontists complete three years of post-dental school residency training specifically in gum disease treatment, bone regeneration, soft tissue grafting, and implant surgery, giving them significantly greater depth in managing complex periodontal cases than general dentists. Board certification through the American Board of Periodontology requires demonstrated clinical excellence and examination beyond residency completion.
When choosing a periodontist in Atlanta, ask whether they are board-certified through the American Board of Periodontology — particularly important for complex cases involving significant bone loss or extensive implant placement. Confirm that the practice uses 3D cone-beam CT imaging for implant treatment planning, which is the current standard of care for accurate implant site assessment. Ask about their experience with the specific procedure you need, whether that is osseous surgery, bone grafting, soft tissue grafting, or guided implant surgery. Red flags include periodontists who recommend full-mouth osseous surgery at an initial consultation without attempting non-surgical scaling and root planing first, which is the appropriate starting point for most periodontal disease cases, and those who cannot clearly explain how many implant cases they place annually.
Top Periodontist Companies in Atlanta
1. Advanced Periodontics
Phone: (404) 876-4867
Website: https://www.advancedperioatl.com
Leadership: Dr. Brock Pumphrey, Dr. Rosemary Davis
Services:
- Comprehensive periodontal treatment
- Dental implants
- Bone regeneration
- Soft tissue grafting
- Cosmetic periodontal procedures
- Laser periodontics
About: Advanced Periodontics is led by Dr. Brock Pumphrey and Dr. Rosemary Davis, both board-certified periodontists and among the few periodontists in Atlanta holding this distinction. Dr. Pumphrey holds the additional credential of board certification in implant surgery, making him one of the most credentialed implant practitioners in the Atlanta market. Their practices in Midtown Atlanta and Sandy Springs serve the high-density professional and residential communities of central and north Atlanta. Board certification by both treating periodontists provides patients with independent verification of clinical excellence beyond residency training.
2. Georgia Periodontics
Founded: 1968
Website: https://www.georgiaperiodontics.com
Service Area: Decatur, Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Dunwoody
Services:
- Periodontal disease treatment
- Dental implants
- Bone and soft tissue grafting
- Osseous surgery
- Cosmetic gum procedures
About: Founded in 1968, Georgia Periodontics has over 55 years of continuous periodontal practice history in the Atlanta area, making it one of the most established periodontal practices in the region. The practice has continuously evolved its technology and treatment protocols as the field has advanced over six decades, reflecting a commitment to evidence-based care that spans multiple generations of periodontology. Their multiple office locations in Decatur, Peachtree Corners, Duluth, and Dunwoody provide broad geographic access for patients across the eastern and northeastern Atlanta metro area. The depth of institutional experience at Georgia Periodontics is difficult to match among newer practices.
3. Atlanta Periodontics
Phone: (404) 255-9511
Website: https://www.atlantaperiodontics.com
Leadership: Dr. Gail McLaurin
Founded: 1990 (Dr. McLaurin’s Atlanta practice)
Services:
- Periodontal disease treatment
- Laser periodontics
- Dental implants
- Soft tissue grafting
- Bone regeneration
- Cosmetic gum procedures
About: Dr. Gail McLaurin has provided advanced periodontal treatments to Metro Atlanta patients since 1990 and holds the distinction of being the first periodontist in Atlanta to be certified in laser technology, giving her the deepest laser periodontics experience of any practitioner in the city. Her practice is located at The Medical Quarters near Northside Hospital and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, placing her in proximity to Atlanta’s largest medical campus and its associated dental referral network. Laser-assisted periodontal treatment offers advantages in tissue healing, reduced postoperative discomfort, and precision compared to conventional surgical approaches. Her 35-plus years of Atlanta periodontal practice provide extensive local experience and patient relationship depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if I need a periodontist in Atlanta?
A: Your general dentist will typically refer you to a periodontist when periodontal probing measurements show pockets deeper than 5mm indicating significant bone loss, when X-rays reveal bone destruction around teeth roots, when scaling and root planing performed by the general dentist has not resolved gum inflammation, or when implant placement is planned for an area requiring bone or tissue augmentation. Symptoms that should prompt a periodontal evaluation include persistent bad breath not explained by poor hygiene, gums that bleed consistently when brushing or flossing, visible gum recession exposing tooth roots, loose teeth, or painful chewing. You can also self-refer to a periodontist without waiting for your general dentist to refer you.
Q: How much does periodontal treatment cost in Atlanta?
A: Non-surgical scaling and root planing in Atlanta typically costs $150 to $300 per quadrant (one-quarter of the mouth), with a full-mouth treatment of four quadrants running $600 to $1,200. Osseous surgery runs $800 to $1,500 per quadrant. Soft tissue grafts for recession coverage typically cost $700 to $1,200 per tooth or area. Dental implants placed by a periodontist in Atlanta typically cost $1,500 to $2,500 for the implant fixture alone, with the abutment and crown placed by your general dentist adding another $1,000 to $2,000. Dental insurance typically covers periodontal disease treatment at a percentage of the allowed fee, but coverage varies significantly by plan.
Q: What is the difference between periodontal disease treatment and regular cleaning in Atlanta?
A: A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) performed by a dental hygienist removes plaque and calculus above and slightly below the gum line on healthy or minimally affected teeth. Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing) is a deeper therapeutic procedure performed by a hygienist or periodontist under local anesthesia that removes calculus and bacterial deposits from root surfaces deep within periodontal pockets, smoothing the roots to facilitate tissue reattachment and reduce pocket depths. Regular cleanings maintain dental health in periodontally stable patients, while scaling and root planing treats active periodontal disease. Once periodontal disease has been treated, patients typically require more frequent periodontal maintenance visits (every three to four months) rather than standard twice-yearly cleanings.
Conclusion
Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions in Atlanta’s adult population, and specialist periodontal care makes a meaningful difference in outcomes for moderate to severe cases. Advanced Periodontics offers the uncommon combination of two board-certified periodontists with additional implant surgery board certification in central and north Atlanta locations. Georgia Periodontics brings over 55 years of continuous Atlanta periodontal practice history and multi-location access across the eastern metro. Atlanta Periodontics provides 35 years of experience with the distinction of being the first Atlanta periodontist certified in laser technology. Contact any of these practices directly or ask your general dentist for a referral.