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Recently, there has been advancement in the treatment of periodontal disease in the dental community. The use of lasers in dentistry is proven to provide safe and successful treatment of gum disease. Treatment of gum disease with laser therapy is virtually painless with discomfort kept to a minimum and for a short duration of time. Depending on the severity of your gum disease, treatment may be accomplished in as little as one visit. Nearly 80 percent of adults have periodontal disease during their lifetime. The leading cause of tooth loss for people in the United States is not old age, as many often think. Rather, the leading cause of tooth loss is periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease. Whether your gum disease is stopped, slowed, or gets worse depends a great deal on how well you care for your teeth and gums every day, from this moment forward. What is Laser Gum Therapy? Traditionally, gum disease was treated with a procedure called scaling and root planing. Performed by your dentist, scaling and root planing involved using hand instruments to remove plaque and tartar. While scaling and root planing was a successful treatment option, new laser dentistry offers even greater precision with less time spent in the dental chair. A diode laser is used in combination with a micro-ultrasonic hand instrument that detaches the biofilm from the tooth surface. The swirling motion created by the micro-ultrasonic created a tornado-like effect which attacks the physical structure of the biofilm. Once the biofilm has been detached, the diode laser is used to sterilize the periodontal pockets and remove any infected tissue. As the old tissue is removed, microscopic clots form and the body's natural healing response takes over. As this occurs, the tissue reattaches to the bone and the gums return to a healthy, infection-free state. Benefits of using laser gum therapy include:
• Dramatically less traumatic, yet highly effective alternative to cut and sew gum surgery.
• No cutting of the gum tissue with a scalpel and no stitches, which means an easy recovery with minimal bleeding.
• Preserves gum tissue, rather than cutting it away.
• Reduces root exposure and sensitivity
• Reduces infection What is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Periodontal disease attacks just below the gum line in the sulcus where they cause the attachment of the tooth and it's supporting tissues to break down. As tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket. Generally more severe the disease is, the greater the depth of the pocket. Periodontal disease is classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. Gingivitis may lead to more serious, destructive forms of periodontal disease called periodontitis. It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs, which makes it imperative to maintain regular visits to your dentist in Castle Rock. Contact your dentist in Castle Rock immediately if you are exhibiting signs of gum disease. It is important to catch gum disease early, in order to treat and prevent worsening of symptoms. Keep your teeth and gums healthy by taking proper prevention steps.
Sean Hartmen writes for Drs. Jeff and Stephanie Scheich, dentists in Castle Rock, CO, who met while in dental school at Indiana University. Both received their Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2002. These dentists in Castle Rock spend numerous hours each year in continuing education courses, in Colorado and throughout the country.
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