Laser Treatment for Gum Disease [Sunday, July 18, 2010]

Deep cleaning (i.e. sulcular debridement) is a procedure where diseased or inflamed soft tissue is removed as part of an overall treatment plan to improve the health of gum tissue. Traditionally, this procedure is performed using a scalpel and other dental instruments. In laser sulcular debridement, laser energy is delivered through an optical fiber To clean pockets of infection that develops between the teeth and gums. Deep pockets of infection are difficult to keep clean. Bacteria in deep pockets can cause serious gum diseases. A research study using a diode laser showed a 94% success rate in reducing pocket depths to less than 3mm after a single laser procedure. Prior to treatment with The laser, some patients in the study had pocket depths greater than 9mm. The American Academy of Periodontology believes that more than 80 percent of the US population Suffers from some form of periodontal (gum) disease. Many of these diseases can be effectively treated using deep cleaning methods. Periodontal disease is the number one Cause of tooth loss in Canada.

Research suggests that gum disease may contribute to:

a) The development of heart disease.
b) Increase risk of premature, underweight births.
c) Gum disease may also pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes or respiratory disease.

Our aim at Advance Dental Care is to provide this treatment before the onset of advanced periodontal disease. The laser procedure generally does not require any stitches (Sutures) or surgical packing and it is relatively painless.
Many dentists do not currently use the dental laser because it:

a) is new technology.
b) is very expensive.
c) Requires additional training to operate.

However, I am convinced that lasers will be used more in dentistry as time passes and the technology continues to improve. Lasers are an exciting advancement in dentistry.
For additional information about laser applications in dentistry, contact us

<< Back | Top