Gum disease affects approximately 80% of adults in some form.
Treating these conditions range from a simple cleaning in gingivitis to gum surgery in advanced cases. If not treated, the majority of adults will lose their teeth by age 70.
Over the 34 years of my practice, the treatment of advanced gum disease focused mainly on scaling and root planning, followed by pocket elimination surgery where needed. The pocket is the environment under the gum that house millions of destructive bacteria causing the bone loss.
Today, with innovative dentistry we can predictably treat simple and advanced cases with conservative and minimally invasive therapy. As a result, patients do not have to resort to surgeries but can now save their teeth and improve their general health.
In this issue, we will discuss two innovations in dentistry to manage gum disease-
The Tray Delivery System (Perio-Protect) and Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP).
Gum disease begin as plaque colonies on the teeth that creep below the gum line. This causes a pocket to form, resulting in bone loss and eventually loss of teeth. These pockets increase in depth becoming a breeding ground for larger colonies of plaque.
These colonies eventually break off into smaller pieces and travel through blood vessels causing damage to other organs. The bacteria in these colonies are linked to diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer, some cancers and pre-term low birth weight babies.
The Tray Delivery Periodontal System is innovative in that it provides a special antibacterial gel to be placed directly into the pockets thereby killing the bacteria located deep within the pockets. Patients now have an additional partner in the fight against gum disease. Since it is non-invasive, it can be used repeatedly. The Perio-Protect method is the treatment used in my office. The results are remarkable and our patients appreciate this conservative choice.
The Tray Delivery System is prescribed by the doctor and applied by the patient at home. Patients are given custom trays. A small amount of the special gel is placed in the tray then placed snugly into the mouth. It feels just like a mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. You wear the tray for 15-30 minutes each day. The Tray Delivery Method is an appealing, minimally invasive option for advanced periodontitis and early-stage gum disease alike.
The Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP)- Gum disease has the ability to reduce the quality of your life. The disease can spread from its original site in your mouth and threaten other parts of your body.
The Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) is an innovative laser treatment on the gums for patients plagued by gum disease. If you are committed to the preservation of your health and to the prevention of the infection getting worse, then there is hope with this conservative yet effective treatment.
Laser assisted procedures offer a more effective gum disease treatment option compared to conventional surgery. It achieves reattachment by sterilizing the infected gum tissues and destroying bacteria. The procedure is actually the only treatment proven to achieve true periodontal regeneration; thereby enhancing and restoring the health of your gums.
When you use laser assisted procedures for your periodontal disease treatment, you experience significantly less pain, bleeding, sensitivity, gum loss, swelling and downtime, as compared to surgery. Best news of all, you know that your gum tissues are actually rebuilding and healing.
Thanks to these innovations, gum treatments are now less invasive, less painful and most importantly more effective in managing periodontal disease in our community.
Dr. Kendal V. O. Major is Founder and CEO of Center for Specialized Dentistry which is a comprehensive family dental practice operating in Nassau and Freeport. He is the first Bahamian Specialist in gum diseases and dental implants since 1989. He also is a certified Fast braces provider. His practice is located at 89 Collins Avenue, Nassau at (242)325-5165 or [email protected].
Perio Protect Tray Delivery System
Trays and Antibacterial gel
Bone growth after Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure
Before and After Laser Assisted Procedures
