Compared to traditional soft tissue periodontal therapy, laser-assisted treatments (such as LANAP) provide better results and faster healing.
LANAP (laser assisted new attachment procedure) is a state-of-the-art periodontal therapy that removes infected cells, destroys active bacteria, and triggers new attachment between your gum tissue and the tooth. As such, it makes gum disease therapy more effective. In most cases, there is no need for surgery!
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is more complex than the earliest stage of gum infection, gingivitis. As the tissues are affected, they detach from the tooth, creating a deeper pocket between the gum tissues and the root. Consequently, bone support is also lost. Without adequate professional treatment, teeth gradually loosen and fall out.
You may experience:
- Bleeding gums
- Swelling
- Gum recession (“long teeth”)
- Bad breath
- Tooth mobility
If you smoke, you may not notice the traditional symptoms of bleeding and swelling.
To determine how advanced disease has progressed, our periodontist will record multiple measurements around each tooth, comparing them to digital images that show where bone levels and tissue attachment levels compare to one another.
A Risk to Your Health
Gum disease doesn’t just affect your smile; it can also impair your overall wellness. Research shows that active gum disease allows pathogens to spread directly into the airway and cardiovascular system, significantly increasing the risk of multiple health conditions. Some of them include pneumonia, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and infertility.
By combatting active oral infections, you improve your dental health as well as your immune system, benefitting your body as a whole.
Why See a Specialist?
Although most DFW dentists offer in-house gum disease treatments, there comes a point where periodontitis becomes so advanced, that they need to refer their patient to a specialist. Namely, when pockets between the teeth and gums become so deep, that standard resources are no longer appropriate to treat the area.
At Dental Specialists Center in North Texas, our board-certified periodontist offers comprehensive periodontal therapy and continued joint-maintenance between our practice and your primary dental provider. And because Dental Specialists Center is a multi-specialty practice, we have resources like LANAP available, which are not routinely offered at general dental practices.
Our mission is simple: help you retain your natural teeth for as long as possible, improving their health and integrity along the way. Contact Dental Specialists Center in North Texas today to request a new patient appointment.