Nancy
★★★★★
I have been coming here since the beginning of COVID. I like all the dental hygienists here and love that this office has all the specialties so I don’t have to shop around.
Periodontist in
Mission Viejo, CA
Specialist care for your gums and the foundation of your smile, from a periodontist right here in our Mission Viejo office.
A periodontist is the dental specialist who focuses on the gums and bone that support your teeth, and on placing dental implants. Most dental offices refer this work out. At Vartanian Dental Group, periodontist Dr. Richard Lee provides advanced gum and implant care right here in Mission Viejo, so you get specialist treatment without being sent to a separate practice.
Book A Consultation
Periodontic Care for Adults in Mission Viejo
4.9 stars across 1,300+ Google reviews, and your gum care comes from a true specialist, not a referral across town.
Dr. Richard Lee, DMD earned his dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, completed an in-depth implant training program at Loma Linda University, and returned to Tufts for a full post-graduate residency in periodontics, the specialty devoted to gum health and dental implants. His focus is on diagnosing problems early and giving you the tools to keep your gums healthy for the long term. He works alongside Dr. James Vartanian and the hygiene team patients regularly praise by name.
“I love that this office has all the specialties so I don’t have to shop around.”
Dr. Vartanian in His Own Words
Cost & Insurance
for Periodontal Care
The cost of periodontal treatment depends on the stage of disease and the procedures involved, from maintenance to grafting or surgery. After your evaluation, you receive a written treatment plan with the full cost, so there are no surprises.
Many PPO and HMO plans cover periodontal treatment, and we verify your benefits before treatment begins. For any balance, payment plans through CareCredit and Citi are available. See our financing options.
Need specialist gum care?
Specialist Periodontal Treatments We Offer
Treatment always begins conservatively. When gums respond to non-surgical care, that is where we stop. When more is needed, Dr. Lee provides advanced options in the same office.
Laser Gum Therapy
Dr. Lee uses laser therapy in treating gum disease, an approach that can make treatment more comfortable and support faster healing than traditional methods alone.
Gum Grafting
For receding gums, a gum graft (gingival graft) restores the tissue that protects your tooth roots, reducing sensitivity and improving how your smile looks.
Bone Grafting
When gum disease or a missing tooth has caused bone loss, bone grafting rebuilds the foundation, often a key step before placing a dental implant.
Periodontal (Flap) Surgery
In advanced cases, flap surgery allows Dr. Lee to clean deep below the gumline and reduce the pockets where bacteria collect, helping your gums reattach and heal.
Dental Implant Placement
As a periodontist with dedicated implant training, Dr. Lee places dental implants and handles the gum and bone work that complex implant and full arch cases often require.
Our Professional Affiliations
When You Need a Periodontist
You may see a periodontist on your own or because your dentist referred you. Dr. Lee provides specialist care for:
- Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) that needs more than a routine cleaning
- Receding gums that expose tooth roots
- Gum and bone loss that threatens tooth stability
- Planning and placing dental implants, including complex cases
- Rebuilding bone or gum tissue before restorative work
If your main concern is bleeding gums, early gum disease, or a deep cleaning, start with our gum disease treatmentpage, which covers diagnosis and non-surgical care. When a case needs specialist or surgical treatment, that is where Dr. Lee steps in.
Confused About Dental Insurance?
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Specialist & General Care Under One Roof
Periodontal problems rarely stay isolated. Gum disease can threaten teeth, bone loss complicates implants, and surgery often needs restorative follow-up. When your periodontist, general dentist, and restorative team all work in one office, your care is coordinated instead of scattered across separate practices with separate records.
That is the advantage here: Dr. Lee’s specialist work connects directly with the rest of your treatment, from the cleaning and exam that catches a problem to the implant that follows surgery. You will find us on the first floor of Pacific Canyons Medical Center at 26302 La Paz Rd #203, just off the I-5 at the La Paz Road exit, with on-site parking. We care for patients from across the city, Rancho Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Aliso Viejo.
Open Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday 8 AM to 3 PM.
Reviews
Why People Love Vartanian Dental Group
Real stories from patients who trust our Mission Viejo team for comfortable, complete, and compassionate dental care.
Our Results Speak for Themselves
Check out some of our recent case outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist with advanced training in the gums and bone that support your teeth, and in placing dental implants. Dr. Lee completed a full post-graduate residency in periodontics after dental school.
Do I need a referral to see the periodontist?
No. Many patients are referred by a dentist, but you can also book directly. If you have advanced gum disease, gum recession, or are considering implants, a consultation is a good first step.
What is the difference between this and the gum disease page?
Routine gum disease care, diagnosis, deep cleanings, and non-surgical treatment is covered on our gum disease treatment page. The periodontist handles advanced and surgical cases: gum grafts, bone grafts, periodontal surgery, and complex implant work
Is periodontal surgery painful?
Procedures are performed with full numbing, and sedation options are available for comfort. Most patients manage any post-treatment soreness with over-the-counter pain relievers, and laser-assisted techniques can support a more comfortable recovery
Can a periodontist place my dental implants?
Yes. Periodontists are among the specialists most experienced with implants. Dr. Lee has dedicated implant training and handles the gum and bone work that complex implant cases often require.
Will insurance cover periodontal treatment?
Many PPO and HMO plans cover periodontal care in part. We verify your specific benefits before treatment so you know your out-of-pocket cost in advance, and offer payment plans for any balance.
See a Periodontist in Mission Viejo
Whether you were referred or are seeking specialist gum care on your own, Dr. Lee is here to help. Our team will evaluate your gums, explain your options, and tell you exactly what comes next.
Take A Quick Tour
Visit Our Clinic
We’re a full-service dental office in the heart of Mission Viejo, CA. We can’t wait to make you smile!
Phone
Hours
Monday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Fri: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
