Laser Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal (gum) disease is quite harmful not only to the mouth but also the entire body. Untreated gum disease can eventually lead to loss of gum tissue, teeth, bone, and cause bad breath. Gum disease may contribute or be warning signs for heart disease and stroke. It can contribute to diabetes and make treatment more difficult of this prevalent condition. Increased risk of pre-term and low birth weight babies is well documented. There are many other conditions that may increase in severity due to untreated gum disease.

There are two approaches used to treat gum disease in the practice. For gingivitis (early stages of gum disease) and early periodontal disease, non-surgical treatments coupled with anti-inflammatory supplementation is our preferred treatment. Xylitol based products hinder the ability of plaque to stick onto teeth which should help in its removal. Several natural/homeopathic remedies can help reduce inflammation. The Periolase laser when at a low setting can help kill the bacteria that reside in the pockets and actually destroy the bacteria that have infiltrated the tissues. More frequent cleaning intervals after initial treatment can then help keep minimize the plaque and calculus accumulation.

For moderate and severe periodontal disease LANAP (laser assisted new attachment procedure) can be a very effective treatment. The Periolase is used at higher power settings to selectively destroy the infected tissues and expose the healthier underlying connective tissues. This helps create an environment where new connective tissue attachments between the gums and the teeth can form. Traditional gum surgery techniques require the separation of the gums from the underlying bone with scalpels, trimming away infected gum tissue, and grinding away of infected bone. The separated gums are then sutured back together with stitches. Pain and discomfort can be quite severe after this procedure for some time. LANAP patients typically have minimal discomfort following the procedure, usually only requiring a few doses of over the counter pain medication.

While LANAP is not traditionally considered holistic gum treatment because it is technically a surgical procedure, it helps regenerate the connective tissue attachment that has been lost from gum disease destruction, Dr. Kim and this dental team believe it fits in the philosophy of science based biological dentistry. In fact, because of the successful results from LANAP and the avoidance of destructive surgical techniques, many traditional dentists and gum specialists are investing in this technology.