Dr. James Betancourt practices Periodontics in Vero Beach, FL. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Dr. Betancourt has expertise in the treatment of oral inflammation and often treats problematic periodontal cases, such as those with severe gum disease or a complex medical history. Some treatments that Dr. Betancourt provides are scaling and root planing and root surface debridement.