Can a general dentist give me periodontal treatment or do i start with a specialist?

Depends: Ther is an array of periodontal procedures each requiring a certain expertise and skill. Ask if the dentist has been trained in the procedures necessary to address your diagnosis.

Yes: Depending upon your level of disease, either may be appropriate. If you have early bone loss and pocket depths up to 4 - 5 millimeters, then you might start with your general dentist with quadrant scaling/root planing. If unsure or it is more severe, see the specialist - a periodontist. If you are likely to end up there anyway, why not start there.

What's the treatment: It is not so much who treats the problem, but what is used to treat the problem. The problem with conventional treatment is the infective bacteria remain.. Scaling and root planing, surgery and other conventional methods have been shown to leave the bacteria in the pocket so they can regrow. Seems reasonable to use something that can kill the bacteria like the perio protect method.

Go to a specialist: Although some general dentist may be good at periodontal treatment you are better off seeing a periodontist. This is all they do. They have more knowledge and experience doing the treatment. You would not go to an internist for heart surgery