7 Most Common Questions About Laser Periodontal Procedure

Here Are Your Questions Answered:

1.     Is it expensive? Laser Periodontal Procedures cost is comparable to what you pay if you have traditional periodontal procedures completed. The savings come from keeping existing teeth.

2.     How long before I can resume normal activities? This can take a little while depending on how you do with anesthetic. You will want to take it easy the day you have the procedure.

3.     Can I eat right after the procedure? You will want to wait a few hours after the procedure before to eating anything.

4.     Do I resume normal brushing and flossing routines? Dr. Rice and her team will give you after-care instructions. You will want to follow those instructions prior to brushing and flossing.

5.     Does Dental Insurance cover laser periodontal procedures? Some do cover a percentage of what the procedure would cost.

6.     Does Laser Periodontal Procedure hurt? Traditional periodontal therapy requires the gums to be cut back in order to clean out bacteria. Laser therapy requires you to be numb, but using a laser helps to reduce pain and discomfort, as there is no cutting or suturing.

7.     Does Laser Periodontal Procedure really work to reduce periodontal disease? Yes, the laser is able to go below the gum line in order to clean out bacteria that is causing periodontal disease.

For more information on Laser Periodontal Procedures, contact Dr. Rice and her team today.

It's That Time Of Year!

It's that time of year again, when you can either enjoy the insurance benefits you have already paid for or watch those same benefits disappear. Time is ticking on, and the holidays are around the corner.  Spend your dental insurance dollars before the clock runs out, as once the New Year is here, the benefits you have acquired to use for the year will most likely be gone.

You may wonder why would go to the periodontist. You may even tell yourself it is not time for your yearly periodontal check, or that your teeth look fine. But Dr. Rice suggests, “You can also utilize your dental benefits for procedures that can improve the health of your smile.” Remember, most dental benefits do not roll over to be applied to the next year.

If you have periodontal disease, but have been putting off laser surgery, now is the time to take advantage of your insurance so you can regain your self-confidence and your smile.   Laser surgery can remove plaque from below the gum line in order to decrease the impact of periodontal disease and lesson the likelihood of loosing a tooth. And it does all that without cutting the tissue, which means healing begins immediately.

For more information on how you can utilize your dental insurance to your advantage contact Dr. DenineRice and her team today.

3 Tips Your Periodontist Can Recommend To Save Your Smile

 Your smile is critical, as within seven seconds you make a first impression. The health and look of your smile could be the difference between a promotion and not getting a job at all. Or it may cause you to miss out on meeting that special someone. If your gums have receded and bleed when you brush and floss, you’ll want to visit the periodontist today for a consultation. Here are three ways she can help.

Dr. Rice states, "laser surgery is a fantastic alternative to traditional periodontal surgery." A laser can be utilized in order to go below the gum line and clean out the bacteria. This procedure takes less time then traditional periodontal surgery, and does not require sutures. Once the treatment has occurred it will decrease bleeding and inflammation.

Gum graft surgery can help restore the look of your smile if your gums are uneven and receding. Tissue can be taken from the pallet of your mouth and placed in the locations around the mouth where your gums have receded. This surgery does require some time to heal, but once completed it can restore your smile to a beautiful and healthy look. Then you only need to incorporate a regular brushing and flossing routine for after the procedure.

Dental implants can be a great way of replacing missing or badly cracked teeth. Implants are artificial posts placed into the jawbone, but once restored will look and feel like real teeth. Implants allow you to regain the natural looking smile of your youth. They also require a brushing and flossing routine, and should last a lifetime if they are taken care of.

Call Dr. Rice & her team today for a healthy smile tomorrow.

Laser Periodontal Therapy

How the LANAP Protocol Works.

 

The first step in providing a patient with the laser surgical procedure LANAP is to make the patient comfortable. The procedure is done using a local anesthetic to numb the affected areas. Once the patient is ready, pocket depths will be determined. Then a thin optic fiber is placed inside the pockets to be treated. This step is called laser troughing and is accomplished using a short-duration pulse. This light energy selectively destroys pathogens and provides a disinfected environment for the next phase. 

Next the periodontist will remove diseased and infected tissue, while at the same time preserving healthy connective tissue. The LANAP protocol has been highly successful in treating moderate to severe gum disease.

Once the laser has removed the tissue, an ultrasonic scaler is utilized to remove calcified plaque and calculus that has adhered to the root surface of the teeth in the affected area. Once this step is completed, the laser will once again be inserted and finish the task of debriding the pocket. Next the pocket is compressed to close and stabilize the tissue against the tooth.

This procedure utilizes no sutures. Mobile teeth may be splinted. Then adjustments are made to the bite to remove interferences.

That’s it!

Read about what to expect post-operatively

Are you delaying periodontal treatment? Call today and learn about the newest in periodontal therapy.