What Is Laser Therapy and How Does It Work?
Laser Therapy is commonly referred to as Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT). Certain lasers can be used for soft tissue treatment only, while others can be used for both soft and hard tissue applications. The diode laser that performs LAPT is an important and extremely effective therapy used by Drs. Estep and Boulden of Atlanta Dental Spa to treat periodontal or gum disease through the process of regeneration (tissue regrowth) rather than resection (cutting). The diode laser can specifically target unhealthy “gingival” tissues in your mouth that constitute gum disease. The technology was developed and perfected to be patient-friendly, dentist-friendly and successful.
The treatment works by harnessing the laser’s energy and conducting it through a very thin fiber that can effortlessly access infected, periodontal pockets and deliver instant treatment. (See figure 3) Due to the tremendous accuracy of the laser, the connective tissue is spared and healing or regeneration can occur rather than the formation of a pocket seal. Stimulation of existing stem cells permits the formation of new root surface coating (cementum) and new connective tissue (periodontal ligament) formation (collagen) on tooth roots. The paradigm of periodontal healing in the absence of guided tissue regeneration barriers (GTR) or bone grafting materials (allografts) has finally been successfully challenged in the twenty first century. (See figure 1)
Why use Laser Therapy?
Because periodontal disease or gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by a bacterial infection and can lead to, or be an indicator of more serious diseases such as cardiovascular and other autoimmune diseases, the detoxifying effect of laser treatment is most valuable in treating the patient. According to most studies, there are no signs of thermal side effects in any of the patients treated. Most all studies have specifically indicated no adverse tissue events thereby demonstrating the safety of the diode laser. (see figure 2) The diode laser’s very effective bactericidal action on periodontal pathogens makes the adjunctive use of antibiotics sometimes unnecessary. This eliminates the problem of bacterial resistance and systemic side effects engendered by antibiotic use. The laser is safe and effective treatment. (see figure 2)
The fear of treating periodontal or gum disease is quickly dissolved when the patient realizes there are no scalpels or sutures involved. As mentioned in previous, LAPT is patient friendly…offering a treatment plan that gets the patient healthy without nxiety, discomfort or dread.
The benefits of using laser therapy as discussed in the Consumer Guide to Dentistry:
Here are some of the major benefits associated with laser dentistry:
• Procedures performed using soft tissue dental lasers may not require
sutures (stitches).
• Certain laser dentistry procedures do not require
anesthesia.
• Laser dentistry minimizes bleeding because the high-energy
light beam aids in the clotting (coagulation) of exposed blood vessels, thus
inhibiting blood loss.
• Bacterial infections are minimized because the
high-energy beam sterilizes the area being worked on.
• Damage to surrounding
tissue is minimized. (see figure 4)
• Wounds heal faster and tissues can be
regenerated (regrown).
What is the Treatment Plan Process?
Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT) combines the traditional
periodontal tartar removal or debridement techniques with laser therapy. There
are advantages to using laser therapy in conjunction with other therapies such
as Scaling & Root Planing (SRP) treatments because their combined effort
treats the disease with all the tools in the dentists’ arsenal. The precision of
the laser is unmatched, as it only removes diseased tissue and limits the
discomfort to the patient. It also positions your mouth to become an optimal
environment for rapid healing. Drs. Estep and Boulden at Atlanta Dental Spa
determine the need for laser therapy on a case-by-case basis. Of course, when a
patient has periodontal disease, visits that are more frequent are recommended
in order to manage the disease as efficiently and effectively as possible and to
prevent any further damage to the teeth and supporting tissue structures (bones
and gums).
What does a Diode Laser look like?
The soft tissue laser is FDA approved and patented. As we mentioned previously, LAPT is patient friendly…offering a treatment plan that gets the patient healthy without discomfort or dread.
Bibliography
1. Goldstep DDS, FACD, FADFE, Fay. "Diode Lasers for Periodontal Treatment:
The Story So Far." Oral Health Journal (2009): 1-3. Print.
2. "Laser Assisted
New Attachment Procedure." Ed. Wikipedia. Web.
3. Yukna, Raymond A.,
"Histologic evaluation of an Nd:YAG laser-assisted new attachment procedure in
humans", International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry
2007;Vol. 27 Issue 6, 27:577–587.
4. "Laser Dentistry: Enhancing Dental
Treatment with Lasers." Consumer Guide to Dentistry (2009). Print.
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