School of Dentistry

Chair and Department of Periodontology

The Department of Periodontology offers an opportunity to complete a three-year specialist training becoming a specialist in periodontology, recognised by the Westfalen-Lippe Dental Association. A prerequisite for participating in the programme is the completion of one year’s general dental practice.

The first year of the training focuses on the fundamentals of pathological anatomy, the fundamentals of prevention, clinical, radiological and microbiological diagnostics, initial treatment, the unassisted execution of simple periodontal surgical procedures, the fundamentals of implantology and perioprosthetic, and assisting in complex surgical procedures.

The curriculum for the second and third year covers the unassisted execution of advanced and complex surgical procedures, taking into account regenerative techniques, mucogingival and plastic surgery techniques, the treatment of oral mucosal diseases, and the planning, execution, management and post-operative analysis of complex treatment cases.

Besides the clinical part for generating practical skills, mandatory active participation in weekly seminars and discussion of the literature in English provide theoretical knowledge in periodontology at international level. Furthermore, case planning sessions and case discussions are held weekly. 

Further information on how to become a specialist in periodontology within the Westfalen-Lippe Dental Association

These are the services we offer to patients:

• We offer a consultation hour once a week for new patients, which is used for diagnostic assessment and advice: by telephone appointment only.
• For those interested in treatment, a comprehensive, personalised and multidisciplinary treatment plan for the management of advanced periodontitis will be introduced. We are happy to do this in agreement and collaboration with patients’ regular dentists and specialist colleagues within our clinic. The aim is a long-term tooth maintenance, if necessary, with the additional help from using dental implants.
• Complex treatment for patients diagnosed with so-called “aggressive periodontitis” is based on a solid expertise in this field of periodontitis treatment.
• We offer the planning and treatment of periodontitis patients using dental implants executing both, the surgical and reconstructive part.
• Our services also include bone augmentation procedures as part of pre-implant or pre-prosthetic treatment.

Individual procedures and treatment methods:

• Non-surgical periodontitis treatment
• Surgical periodontitis treatment
• Guided tissue regeneration using enamel matrix proteins or membrane-supported techniques
• Pre-prosthetic surgery (e.g. crown lengthening)
• Plastic periodontal surgery (e.g. covering exposed root surfaces)
• Bone augmentation procedures for periodontitis patients following tooth loss in conjunction with implant-supported dentures
• Soft tissue and bone reinforcement prior to orthodontic treatment and, where necessary, coverage of recessions following orthodontic treatment
• Supportive periodontitis therapy (SPT)

Not every case of periodontitis needs to be treated by a specialist. We are happy to work in collaboration with your general practitioner. If you have any questions about your periodontal health or a specific treatment, or if you would like to book an appointment with us, you will find the necessary contact details below.

Periodontitis – often incorrectly referred to as ‘periodontosis’ in everyday language – is widespread in Germany. According to the penultimate ‘German Oral Health Study’ (DMS IV), over 70 per cent of adults up to the age of 65 and over 85 per cent of older people suffer from periodontitis. Among young people, around ten per cent are affected by aggressive periodontitis.

The occurrence of receding gums – technically known as recession – is not always caused by periodontitis. Particularly in visible areas, non-inflammatory causalities are often the reason for such changes. The individual dental history must be meticulously studied to allow for a personified therapy selection.

The problem is that, despite the high prevalence of periodontal diseases in Germany, there are only a small number of dentists who completed the specialisation training in this field: ‘specialist dentists in periodontology’ registered with the Westphalia-Lippe Dental Association (ZÄKWL) and the ‘specialists in periodontology’ recognised by the DGParo e.V.

Periodontitis can be diagnosed and treated even in its early stages. If, initially, only the outer part of the periodontium is affected, the gums will first become red and swollen, and may bleed when you brush your teeth. Other symptoms may include an unpleasant taste or bad breath. If the inflammation progresses further, it can lead to receding gums and loose teeth.

Receding gums not associated with an inflammation will be recognised by those individuals who are deeply concerned about their health and care about their appearance. Age plays a minor role in these changes. Adolescents and young adults may already detect such recession in their gums; in such cases, professional consultation is recommended. For all approaches aiming to correct the gum's appearance: the earlier a change is noticed, the simpler the treatment will be.

To book an appointment, please call

Telephone: +49 (0)2302/926-608 (please leave a message and we will call you back)

or email us: parodontologie@uni-wh.de