If your dentist has ever mentioned "periodontal" anything — pockets, bone loss, gum recession — you may have left the appointment with more questions than answers. What exactly does a periodontist in Coral Springs do, and how is that different from your regular dentist? At Coral Springs Smiles, Dr. Payal Anand, DDS, fields this question often, and the short answer is: a periodontist focuses specifically on the gums and the bone that anchors your teeth. Here's what that actually means for you as a patient.
A Periodontist Specializes in Gum and Bone Health
General dentists handle a wide range of care — cleanings, fillings, crowns — but periodontal disease requires a more focused skill set. Periodontists complete additional training beyond dental school specifically in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the gums, the ligaments holding teeth in place, and the jawbone underneath. Dr. Payal Anand completed a periodontics fellowship at LSU after graduating from LSU School of Dentistry, giving her advanced training most general dentists don't have. That background is exactly why patients throughout Coral Springs are referred to her, or seek her out directly, when gum concerns come up.
Diagnosing Gum Disease Before It Becomes a Bigger Problem
One of the core things a periodontist does is measure and monitor "pocket depths" — the space between your gums and teeth. Deeper pockets usually mean more advanced gum disease. At Coral Springs Smiles, a periodontal evaluation with Dr. Payal Anand includes a thorough look at your gum tissue, bone levels, and any areas of inflammation or recession. Catching these changes early is often the difference between a simple cleaning and a more involved treatment plan down the road.
Treating Gum Disease with Scaling and Root Planing
When plaque and tartar build up below the gumline, a routine cleaning often isn't enough to remove it. This is where scaling and root planing comes in — a deep cleaning procedure that clears out bacteria and smooths the tooth root so gums can reattach and heal. It's one of the most common treatments Dr. Payal Anand performs at Coral Springs Smiles, and for many patients, it's enough to stop gum disease from progressing further.
Advanced Options: Laser Dentistry and LANAP
For patients with more advanced periodontal disease, Coral Springs Smiles offers laser dentistry, including LANAP-based treatment. Laser therapy allows Dr. Payal Anand to target infected tissue with precision, often with less discomfort and a faster recovery than traditional gum surgery. It's a good example of how periodontal treatment has evolved — patients no longer need to assume gum disease means a long, uncomfortable recovery.
Managing Dental Implants and Peri-Implant Health
A periodontist's role doesn't stop at natural teeth. Dr. Payal Anand has placed over 2,000+ dental implants over the course of her 16+ years in practice, and she also treats peri-implant infections — issues that can develop around an implant if it's not properly monitored. Because she handles both the placement and the ongoing periodontal health of implants, patients at Coral Springs Smiles have one trusted provider managing the whole picture, rather than bouncing between specialists.
Why Coral Springs Patients Choose Us
Patients across Coral Springs choose Dr. Payal Anand because periodontal care here isn't an afterthought — it's a core part of her practice. She's a graduate of LSU School of Dentistry, completed a periodontics fellowship at LSU, and holds membership in the ADA, AGD, and Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. With 16+ years of experience, more than 10,000+ patients treated, and 2,000+ implants placed, she brings a depth of hands-on experience to every periodontal case. Coral Springs Smiles is located at 2929 North University Drive, Suite 203, with appointments available Monday through Friday and same-day urgent care when possible, so getting the care you need doesn't require reshuffling your entire schedule. We also accept Humana, United Healthcare, WellCare, Simply Healthcare, Care Plus, and Florida Blue, making it easier for patients searching for a periodontist near me to get seen without unnecessary delays.
FAQ
Schedule Your Periodontal Consultation Today
Now that you know what a periodontist does, the next step is simple: get your gums checked by someone who specializes in exactly this. Dr. Payal Anand and the Coral Springs Smiles team are here to answer your questions and build a treatment plan that fits your needs.
