Saving teeth with Laser Assisted Treatments
Treatment of Gum disease is extremely important because of the systemic and bodily harm that can occur if gum disease is left untreated. In addition to the concern related to tooth loss from gum disease (75% of teeth lost after the age of 35 is due to gum disease) Periodontal disease has been shown to be a major risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, stroke and alzheimers related changes. The mechanism that causes Periodontal disease to exacerbate these issues is due to the elevated level of chronic inflammation that occurs and accompanies periodontal disease.
The treatment of gum disease can take many forms including deep scaling and root planning, pocket reduction surgery and laser assisted options.
Over the last decade the advent of lasers specific to the treatment of gum disease has changed what was once a scary and intimidating procedure into one that has a higher degree of predictability, less pain following treatment and causes dramatically less change to the appearance of the gums following treatment. This treatment called LANAP (LASER ASSISTED NEW ATTACHMENT PROCEDURE) is the only FDA approved treatment protocol for the treatment of gum disease.
Dr. Thomas Kang, Dr. Kevin Suzuki, Dr. Allen Liu, Dr. Jessica Hsu, Dr. Jenna Cha, Dr. Ehsan Zahedi and Dr. Julianna Shamoon are certified LANAP doctors. As periodontists they are uniquely qualified to offer this service which on average results in a 50-90% reduction in pocket depths around teeth and implants following treatment.
The following diagram shows the LANAP process and the following educational brochure is available for download if you would like to learn more about this procedure.
LANAP Treatment Procedure
Perio probe indicates excessive pocket depth.
Laser light removes bacteria and diseased tissue.
Ultrasonic scaler and special hand instruments are used to remove root surface tartar.
Laser finishes cleaning pocket and aids in sealing the pocket closed so new germs cannot enter.
Healing of gums to clean root surface occurs.
Bite trauma is adjusted.
Healing occurs.
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