Periodontists face the same squeeze as oral surgeons: referring dentists are placing more of their own implants, and what still comes over is harder. Most periodontal websites were written for referring dentists, not patients. The practices that build direct volume publish patient pages for implants, bone grafting and gum treatment, explain what a periodontist does differently, and rank on the map for implant searches around the office.
Results from our periodontics work
When the referral base starts placing its own implants
In our periodontal engagement, 88% of implant cases came from referring dentists, and two of those offices had started placing their own implants. The website was written for dentists sending referrals. No page answered cost, financing or what a periodontist does differently, and the practice was in the top 3 at 3 of 49 map points for implant searches.
A year later: 31 of 49 points in the top 3, direct implant consults up from 4 to 17 a month, and the share of cases from referrals down from 88% to 63%, with the referral side left exactly as it was. Read the case study.
Explain what a periodontist does
Most patients don’t know what a periodontist is, and many don’t know they can see one without a referral. That gap is the opportunity. Periodontics is an ADA-recognized specialty, so you can say plainly what a general dentist placing implants generally can’t.
- “What a periodontist does”: a plain page on gums, bone and implants, and when a specialist matters.
- Periodontist vs dentist for implants: a fair comparison, especially for grafting, bone loss and failing implants.
- Your training: specialty training, board certification if held, and implant experience, on each doctor’s page.
Patient pages that bring direct cases
- Dental implants: cost, options and candidacy, written for patients.
- Bone grafting: when it’s needed and what it involves. In our engagement this page became the top consult source.
- Failing implants: a page for patients whose implant is loose, painful or infected. These patients are actively searching, and few practices answer them.
- Gum disease and gum recession: treatment options and what happens if it’s left alone.
- Full-arch: for practices that offer it.
- Cost and financing: the factors that set the price and the plans you accept.
Some periodontal procedures are sold under trademarked names. We describe the treatment plainly and use a brand name only where it’s accurate for what you provide.
Google Business Profile for periodontists
- Primary category: “Periodontist”. Add “Dental implants provider” or similar only where it fits.
- Services: implants, bone grafting, gum grafting, periodontal treatment and implant repair, listed separately.
- Reviews: one neutral request after every visit, from your own system. Patients describing their implant or gum treatment in their own words help most.
- Review replies: thank the reviewer without confirming they’re a patient or mentioning treatment.
What we do for periodontal practices
- Visibility test: implant, grafting and gum searches from 25+ points around the office, plus AI answers. Free.
- Patient pages: written for patients, approved by your doctors, separate from referral content.
- Referral page: kept fast and simple for referring dentists.
- Google Business Profile and AI visibility: services, reviews, listings and structured data naming your periodontists.
- Re-testing: the same searches, run again, so you see what moved.
Want this done for your practice?
Get a free 90-day plan. We test your market first and send you what to fix, in order. No call needed.
Get my free 90-day planFAQ
Can periodontists get implant patients without referrals?
Yes. Many patients search for implants, bone grafting or help with a failing implant directly. A periodontist with patient pages for those searches and a properly set-up profile can win them.
Will direct marketing hurt our referral relationships?
In our engagement we left the referral side exactly as it was and built a separate path for patients. Patient pages explain specialist care; they don’t compete with general dentistry, and a clear referral page helps referring offices.
What should a periodontist rank for first?
Usually dental implants and bone grafting near the office, then failing implants and gum treatment. Your visibility test shows what’s open in your market.
Do you need access to patient information?
No. Everything we do works on your public presence. We never need patient records.