Gum specialist in Dubai — what a periodontist treats and what a gum assessment includes

Key facts

• Periodontist: DHA-regulated gum specialty
• Most gum problems start with a general dentist assessment
• Assessment: pocket charting, bleeding, mobility, X-rays
• Dr. Fariba Alnoory: 14+ years in cleaning and gum care
• Referral explained honestly when specialist surgery is needed

What does a periodontist treat?

Periodontics is the dental specialty focused on the gums and supporting structures of the teeth: the gum, the ligament that holds teeth in place, and the jawbone around the roots. Periodontists manage moderate to severe periodontitis, complex or aggressive gum disease, gum recession needing grafts, surgical pocket reduction, regenerative procedures for bone defects, crown lengthening and, in some cases, implant-related gum problems. In the UAE, the title ‘Specialist Periodontist’ is a regulated DHA specialty, and you can check any dentist’s licence and title on the DHA Sheryan portal. Not every patient with bleeding gums needs a specialist; many cases respond well to care from an experienced general dentist.

When does a general dentist refer to a gum specialist?

A general dentist diagnoses and treats most gum problems: gingivitis, early to moderate periodontitis, deep cleaning, and ongoing maintenance. Referral to a periodontist is commonly considered when bone loss is advanced, pockets remain deep after a full course of deep cleaning, gum disease is progressing rapidly or appears in a young person, multiple teeth are loose, gum grafts or regenerative surgery are needed, or medical conditions complicate treatment. A good general dentist tells you honestly when your situation goes beyond routine care and explains the options. Starting with a thorough assessment means you do not undergo surgery that may not be necessary.

What a gum assessment includes

A full gum assessment starts with your medical history, including diabetes, smoking, pregnancy and medicines, because these affect gum health. The dentist then measures pocket depths around every tooth with a fine probe, records bleeding, gum recession and tooth mobility, and checks plaque and tartar levels. X-rays show the bone level around the roots. These findings are used to stage and grade the gum disease, which guides the treatment plan. You should receive a clear explanation of the diagnosis, what each treatment step involves, how many visits it is likely to take and how results will be measured at review.

Gum care available at Manhal Medical Center

Dr. Fariba Alnoory is a General Dentist with more than 14 years of experience in check-ups, professional cleaning and gum care. At Manhal Medical Center she provides gum assessments with pocket charting and X-rays, scaling and polishing, deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) for periodontitis, oral hygiene coaching, and periodontal maintenance visits. She works closely with the clinic’s implant and surgical team where gum health affects implant or surgical planning. Manhal does not describe Dr. Fariba as a periodontist; if your assessment shows that specialist periodontal surgery would be the right next step, she explains why and discusses how it can be arranged.

Warning signs that need a gum check soon

Book a gum assessment if your gums bleed when brushing or flossing, look red or swollen, have pulled back from the teeth, or if you have persistent bad breath, a bad taste, pus around a tooth, new gaps between teeth, changes in your bite or teeth that feel loose. People with diabetes, smokers, pregnant women and those with a family history of tooth loss from gum disease benefit from regular gum checks even without symptoms. Seek urgent care for a painful swelling with fever, which may be a gum abscess. Early periodontitis is far easier to control than advanced disease, so it is worth acting early.

Gum disease starts as gingivitis — red, bleeding gums — and can progress to periodontitis, where bone support is lost and teeth loosen. Early treatment stops the progression.

Prepared by the Manhal Medical Center editorial team · Updated: 2026-10-18 · Treating specialist: Dr. Fariba Alnoory

This page is general information and does not replace a consultation. Suitability, risks and results vary between patients.