How to choose a periodontist

Periodontist: what the word means

In French, the two words “parodontiste” and “parodontologue” mean the same thing: a dental surgeon who devotes all or part of their practice to periodontology, that is, the tissues that hold the teeth (gum, ligament, bone).

Their expertise is reflected in their additional training, a certificate of advanced studies (CES) or university diploma (DU, DIU) in periodontology, and in the share of their practice devoted to the gums. This information should be public: on the practitioner's website, on their booking page, and in the French health directory (RPPS number).

Criterion 1: a full assessment before any treatment

Periodontitis cannot be judged at a glance. The assessment includes a discussion of your general health and medication, a clinical examination of the gums (bleeding, tooth mobility, areas between the roots) and X-rays showing the bone level around each tooth ^[1]. These findings serve as a baseline: comparing them later is how one checks that treatment has worked.

What you can check: did the practitioner explain what they found, show you the X-rays, and keep the assessment to compare at follow-up?

Criterion 2: an explained diagnosis and a written plan

Since 2018, periodontitis has been described by a stage (severity) and a grade (rate of progression) ^[2]. These two terms should appear in the explanations you are given: they determine the treatment and the pace of follow-up. The article Understanding periodontitis explains them in detail.

The treatment plan and estimate should be written, detailed and given to you before treatment. Teeth with a guarded prognosis should be flagged at the assessment, not discovered along the way.

Criterion 3: treatment that follows guidelines

The 2020 guideline of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) organises treatment in four steps: control of plaque and risk factors (smoking, diabetes), cleaning of the roots below the gum, treatment of pockets that persist, then maintenance ^[1]. A conscientious practitioner tells you where you are in this pathway.

Be wary of promises: no treatment regrows lost bone outside specific surgical procedures, and laser has not shown sufficient benefit to replace mechanical cleaning ^[1]. If it is offered, it should be presented as a supplement, with its limits. The lasers page reviews what the studies show.

Criterion 4: organised long-term follow-up

Periodontitis is a chronic disease: results last if follow-up is regular. The practitioner should offer you a schedule of check-ups and compare each time with the initial assessment; at Dr Hazout's practice, a first check-up takes place one month after treatment, then follow-up is every six months. The periodontal maintenance page explains why.

Criterion 5: transparency on fees

Most periodontal procedures are not reimbursed by French national health insurance (Assurance maladie), and fees vary from one practice to another. A transparent practitioner displays their fees or provides them before any treatment, and gives a written estimate.

At Dr Hazout's practice in Levallois-Perret

So that you can apply these criteria, here is verifiable information about the practice. Dr Victor Hazout practises at 119 rue du Président Wilson, Levallois-Perret, close to Neuilly-sur-Seine and the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements of Paris. His practice focuses on periodontology, oral surgery and implantology; his diplomas, with their universities and years, and his RPPS number are listed on the Background page.

• First visit: full periodontal assessment, with clinical examination and X-rays, €60.
• Initial treatment: the whole mouth, all six sextants, in a single session, €1,440 without laser or €1,800 with laser; written estimate provided before treatment.
• Follow-up: a first check-up one month after treatment, then six-monthly follow-up, more frequent if the risk requires it.
• Appointments online via Doctolib or on +33 1 42 67 05 04.

Frequently asked questions