If you’re searching for the best periodontist in Scottsdale, AZ, you already know that gum health is no minor concern. Periodontal disease affects nearly half of American adults over 30, and without the right specialist, it can escalate from mild inflammation to bone loss, tooth loss, and serious systemic health complications. Choosing a board-qualified periodontist with deep clinical experience isn’t just about a healthier smile — it’s an investment in your long-term wellbeing.
Scottsdale, AZ is home to several dental specialists, but not all periodontists are created equal. Credentials, technology, patient experience, and treatment range all vary enormously. In this guide, we break down what sets elite periodontal care apart, what to look for when booking a consultation, and why Scholes Periodontics and Implants stands out as the top-ranked practice in the Scottsdale area — trusted by DenScore’s dental experts and verified through stringent quality standards.
A periodontist is a dental specialist who focuses exclusively on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease (periodontitis), as well as the placement of dental implants. After completing dental school, periodontists undergo an additional three years of postgraduate residency training dedicated entirely to periodontal structures — the gums, alveolar bone, and connective tissue that support your teeth.
General dentists can handle mild gingivitis, but moderate-to-severe gum disease, bone grafting, complex implant cases, and full-mouth reconstruction are where periodontists excel. If your general dentist has referred you to a specialist, or you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, seeing a periodontist in Scottsdale sooner rather than later is critical:
With multiple practices advertising periodontal services in the greater Scottsdale and Chandler area, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are the five factors DenScore’s dental experts weigh when evaluating periodontal practices:
Board eligibility and specialty residency training are non-negotiable. Look for a DMD or DDS who completed a formal 3-year periodontic residency at an accredited program. Additional postgraduate degrees — such as a Master of Science in Immunology or related biomedical fields — signal a commitment to the science behind periodontal disease, not just the procedural side.
Periodontic procedures — especially full-arch implant cases, bone grafting, and soft tissue surgeries — demand precision that only comes with thousands of hours of clinical practice. A periodontist with 20+ years in private practice has encountered and resolved the full spectrum of periodontal cases, reducing risk and improving outcomes for complex presentations.
From single-tooth implants to full-arch solutions like All-on-4, bone grafting, and same-day smile restorations — the breadth of services available at a practice directly impacts what’s possible for your specific case. Practices that offer fewer services may refer you elsewhere mid-treatment, adding cost and delay.
The best periodontists invest time in patient education. They explain every treatment option, outline expected outcomes, discuss financial considerations upfront, and never rush a consultation. Long-term relationships with patients — not one-off transactional appointments — define elite periodontal practices.
Periodontal treatment can be costly. The right practice will clearly outline what your insurance covers, what financing options are available, and provide detailed treatment estimates before any procedure begins. Avoid practices that are vague on fees or push unnecessary add-on treatments.
When DenScore’s dental experts evaluated periodontal practices across the Scottsdale and East Valley area, one name rose to the top: Scholes Periodontics and Implants, led by Dr. H. Kendall Scholes, DMD, MS. Here’s why this practice earns the #1 spot — and why patients consistently choose Dr. Scholes over competitors.
Dr. Scholes is not just a periodontist — he comes from a multigenerational dental family. With his grandfather, father, and uncles all practicing dentistry, Dr. Scholes grew up immersed in the values of clinical excellence and patient care. That heritage shaped a professional who treats every patient with the same meticulous attention he’d want for his own family.
His academic credentials are exceptional. After graduating from the Dental School at Oregon Health Sciences University in 1992, Dr. Scholes completed a full residency in Periodontics at Northwestern University in Chicago — one of the country’s most prestigious dental programs. While at Northwestern, he also earned a Master of Science Degree in Immunology, a distinction that gives him deep scientific insight into the inflammatory and immune mechanisms that drive gum disease. This dual expertise is rare and genuinely differentiating.
Since 1999, Dr. Scholes and his wife have operated their private practice in Chandler, AZ — just minutes from Scottsdale — building nearly three decades of hands-on periodontal experience. That kind of long-term community presence speaks volumes: patients return, refer family members, and trust Dr. Scholes with their most complex dental needs.
Scholes Periodontics offers a comprehensive range of periodontal and implant services, making it a true one-stop practice for patients with complex dental needs:
Traditional dental implants require 4–6 months of healing before final restoration. Dr. Scholes offers a Same-Day Smile solution — also known as a Bar Attachment Denture — which allows patients to walk in with missing teeth and walk out the same day with functional, aesthetically pleasing teeth. This approach also includes the Nobel Biocare All-on-4 Treatment Concept, one of the most clinically validated full-arch implant systems in modern dentistry. For patients who have been living with dentures or extensive tooth loss, this can be life-changing.
Losing a single tooth doesn’t have to mean a bridge or a gap in your smile. Single-tooth implants at Scholes Periodontics provide a permanent, natural-looking replacement that preserves the surrounding bone structure and doesn’t compromise adjacent teeth. Dr. Scholes’s implant placement precision, honed over nearly 30 years, consistently delivers outstanding aesthetic and functional outcomes.
All-on-4 implants use just four strategically placed implants to support a full arch of teeth — upper, lower, or both. This approach minimises the need for bone grafting in many cases and provides immediate stability. For patients who have lost most or all of their teeth, All-on-4 by Dr. Scholes delivers a fixed, natural-feeling solution that outperforms traditional dentures in comfort, confidence, and longevity.
Bone loss is a common consequence of advanced periodontal disease and tooth loss. Without adequate bone volume, implant placement is not possible. Dr. Scholes performs bone grafting procedures to restore the jaw’s structural integrity — rebuilding the foundation that implants and healthy teeth need to thrive. His immunology background gives him a uniquely scientific approach to graft integration and healing outcomes.
DenScore’s featured listings are not pay-to-play. Every periodontist in our directory is vetted against strict quality criteria covering clinical qualifications, patient satisfaction, service breadth, and community trust. Scholes Periodontics and Implants earned the featured position because it consistently outperforms the field on every metric:
Patients who have searched ‘best periodontist Scottsdale AZ’ and ended up at Scholes Periodontics consistently report that the combination of clinical expertise, genuine care, and outstanding results makes Dr. Scholes the only choice for serious periodontal treatment in the East Valley.
Scholes Periodontics is located at 595 N Dobson Rd B#34, Chandler, AZ 85224 — approximately 15–20 minutes from central Scottsdale. For many patients, this short drive is one of the easiest decisions they make: a world-class periodontist with nearly three decades of experience is worth travelling for.
Chandler sits directly adjacent to the Scottsdale corridor. Patients from North Scottsdale, Old Town Scottsdale, South Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and Gilbert all find Scholes Periodontics conveniently accessible — with ample parking, accessible facilities, and an appointment experience designed around the patient’s schedule.
If your general dentist has diagnosed moderate-to-severe gum disease, recommended a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), noticed significant bone loss on X-rays, or referred you for implant placement, you need a periodontist. General dentists handle routine cleanings and mild gingivitis, but anything beyond that is best treated by a specialist with dedicated postgraduate training.
Most dental insurance plans cover 50–80% of periodontal treatments such as scaling and root planing, especially when medically necessary and performed by an in-network provider. Surgical procedures and implants typically have different coverage tiers. Always verify your benefits before treatment and ask the practice to run a pre-authorisation to avoid unexpected costs.
Traditional implants replace teeth one at a time and require individual implant posts for each missing tooth. All-on-4 uses four implants strategically positioned in the jaw to support a full arch of fixed teeth — upper or lower. All-on-4 typically requires less bone volume, fewer surgical procedures, and can often be completed in a single day (Same-Day Smile). For patients with multiple missing teeth, it is frequently the more cost-effective and time-efficient solution.
It depends on the severity and type of treatment. Non-surgical treatments like scaling and root planing typically require 1–2 appointments plus a follow-up. Surgical treatments and implants involve healing periods that can range from a few weeks to several months. The Same-Day Smile procedure at Scholes Periodontics is a notable exception — it compresses the timeline to a single appointment for eligible patients.
Yes — and significantly so. Research consistently links untreated periodontal disease to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, respiratory infections, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The same bacterial inflammation that damages gum tissue can enter the bloodstream and affect systemic health. Treating gum disease isn’t just about your mouth — it’s about your overall health.
Booking with Scottsdale’s top-rated periodontist is straightforward. Scholes Periodontics and Implants offers an easy online appointment form so you can secure your consultation at a time that works for you.
| Practice | Scholes Periodontics and Implants |
| Dentist | Dr. H. Kendall Scholes, DMD, MS |
| Address | 595 N Dobson Rd B#34, Chandler, AZ 85224 |
| Phone | (480) 470-3959 |
| Specialty | Periodontics & Dental Implants |
| Experience | 30+ years (in practice since 1999) |
Ready to get started? Book your consultation directly at scholesperio.com or call (480) 470-3959 today.
Searching for the best periodontist in Scottsdale, AZ shouldn’t be a guessing game. Your gum health, your implant outcomes, and your long-term oral health depend on choosing a specialist with the right credentials, the right experience, and a genuine commitment to patient care.
Dr. H. Kendall Scholes checks every box: 30 years of private practice, Northwestern-trained, dual postgraduate degrees, full-spectrum implant services, and a legacy built on multigenerational dental values. For Scottsdale patients seeking periodontal excellence — whether it’s gum disease treatment, single implants, All-on-4, bone grafting, or a Same-Day Smile — Scholes Periodontics and Implants is the clear choice.
DenScore is proud to feature Scholes Periodontics as the #1 pick for periodontal care in the Scottsdale and East Valley region. Use DenScore’s free dental navigation tool to compare options, explore insurance compatibility, and make the most informed decision for your oral health.
About DenScore Featured Listings
DenScore’s featured listings are awarded to practices that meet our strict vetting criteria covering clinical qualifications, patient satisfaction, treatment breadth, and community trust. While practices may request inclusion, they must satisfy all DenScore quality standards to receive a featured placement. Please refer to our Terms of Service for full methodology details.