I
would like to introduce you to LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPYTM, an amazing breakthrough
in periodontal treatments. If you have been told you need scalpel and suture
gum surgery, there's a laser alternative you need to learn about.
If
you're like 100 million other Americans, you could be one of 50% of Americans
who have periodontal disease, the major cause of tooth loss in adults.
Periodontal disease starts off as plaque, an opaque film which eventually
hardens, forming tartar or calculus.
Calculus
deposits harbor bacteria which infect the gums. In early stages, this is called
Gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush your
teeth. Many people experience bad breath and an unpleasant taste in their
mouths as well. Unchecked, Gingivitis progresses to Periodontitis, a much more
serious form of the disease where periodontal pockets are formed, separating
teeth from the gums and supporting bone structure. Without treatment, infection
becomes severe and the pockets deepen, resulting in tooth loss.
The
way to repair the damage is to get rid of the infection and close up the
pockets. Until now, that meant surgery and sutures. We now offer our patients LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPYTM (LPTTM) or LANAP, a patient-friendly, minimally-invasive
procedure that’s a great improvement over standard gum surgery.
Watch an animated video of the LANAP procedure:
What is a
periodontal pocket?