According to recent research, periodontal disease affects nearly 50% of adults in the United States. More than 60% of adults over the age of 65 present moderate to severe cases of periodontal disease. Forms of periodontal disease vary from slight gum inflammation to significant cases resulting in tooth loss. A dental professional at Pewaukee Dental can confirm the diagnosis with a dental examination.
Traditional forms of treatment include a procedure called Root Planing and Scaling. This method involves scraping the tartar from the tooth’s surface. Planing removes the rough areas on the tooth’s root. These procedures result in moderate discomfort, are invasive, and may result in root sensitivity and recession of the gums.
Patients would be wise to consider an alternative method such as Laser Periodontal Therapy in Waukesha WI. Instead of the traditional dental implements, a laser removes the affected tissue from around the roots of the teeth. To begin, measurements are taken of the pockets around the teeth to assess the progression of the disease. The tip of the laser is used to remove diseased tissue inside the gums. The laser is designed to target diseased tissue only.
Once this is done, the tartar is removed using a small ultrasonic device; the sound waves produced shatter the tartar, which is then flushed away with water. The laser is employed again, only at the bottom gums to remove any diseased tissue that may have been missed initially. The second pass also serves to sterilize the bone and gums and eradicate the bacteria. The laser also encourages blood clots to form which helps to reattach the gums tissue to the teeth, sealing out bacteria and debris.
Finally, the patient’s bite is checked for any irregularities. A proper bite forms a tighter seal to prevent bacteria and debris from getting into the gum pockets while they heal. Although the use of these lasers is still in the infancy stage, it demonstrates much promise for patients suffering from periodontitis.
The many benefits of Laser Periodontal Therapy in Waukesha WI, include only one to two office visits versus four or more, it is minimally invasive, does not require sutures, the roots do not develop sensitivity, the gums do not recede as a result of the procedure, and the recovery time is typically 24 hours versus one week for traditional methods. Overall, the expense is generally less as fewer office visits are required. For more information visit Pewaukee Dental.
