Dr. Duckworth received his training in Periodontology at Harvard University. He accepted the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontology at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where he performed research and trained dental students and periodontology residents. Dr. Duckworth is now practicing privately at the Worthington Dental Group. His focus is helping patients attain optimal dental health and attractive smiles by treating periodontal disease, replacing missing teeth with dental implants, restoring tooth function, maintaining and repairing implants.
What is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who has completed a three-year specialty program, after the completion of his DDS degree. The specialty training is similar to a medical doctor’s residency training, where 100% of the dentist’s education is focused on his specialty. Periodontics is one of nine specialties in dentistry. Periodontists receive extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and the placement of dental implants. Periodontal disease is the disease of the supporting structures of the teeth; gingiva (gums) and bone. It can range from inflammation of the gums to a major infection that destroys bone, resulting in the loss of teeth, and the spread of infection to other parts of the body. When diagnosed in the early stages, the progression of periodontal disease can be stabilized. The later stages of periodontal disease are more difficult to manage and require more aggressive types of treatment. Periodontists are skilled in oral surgery and the placement of dental implants.
