Have you been told that you have gum disease? Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection that destroys the gums and supporting bone surrounding your teeth. Three out of four adults 35 years and older may be affected, and according to the ADA (American Dental Association), more than 60% of the adult population has periodontal disease. Bleeding gums, tooth movement, loose teeth, bad breath, or pain associated with brushing, are all symptoms of periodontal disease. There is mounting evidence regarding the direct link between periodontal disease and a variety of other, possibly life-threatening diseases. Periodontal disease has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, miscarriages, and low birth weight. LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is used to treat periodontal disease and save many teeth that were previously considered hopeless. It uses the world’s first digital dental laser--the PerioLase ® MVP-7 , which was specifically designed for treating periodontal disease. The PerioLase ® laser is used as part of Laser Periodontal Therapy™, to remove harmful bacteria and diseased tissue from the gum pocket by passing a laser light between gum and tooth. Patients don’t hear or feel it – except for a little warmth. LANAP is a more comfortable method to treat gum disease. The procedure’s method of eliminating germs from the gums is very similar to lifting ink from a paper. First, the laser uses light energy to remove the infection from the gum lining. The laser only seeks out infected tissue, which is darker in color than healthy tissue, leaving healthy tissue in place. The teeth and roots then can be cleaned. The laser is used a second time to seal the gum tissue back to the tooth, protecting the newly-lasered tissue. This allows the body to heal naturally so that the gum pockets improve and the teeth become more stable.
Certified by the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry in 2005, Dr. Lee has performed hundreds of successful laser gum treatments. Call our office today for a free consultation to see how LANAP can help you! |