Like all things, strong oral health is built on a good foundation. For your teeth, that foundation is your gums. The gums cover and collaborate with your jawbone to keep your teeth stable and anchored in your mouth. Gum infection, or periodontal disease, is a crack in the foundation, threat and cause to a whole host of dental problems, ranging from tooth loss, bad breath and an increased risk of heart attack. Not every affliction manifests to that extreme degree — mild cases present as tender, bleeding gums — but if left untreated the infection progresses quickly. These intense cases need to be swiftly addressed to prevent tooth loss and further dental troubles. Surgical treatment was the standard for treating periodontal disease, and is still offered today. The procedure involves cutting flaps on the gums to access the dental roots, cleaning out infected areas and stitching the gums back over. For many, this surgery proves an intense inconvenience: anesthesia is required, there is pain from the incisions and recovery requires a two week period. Now, thanks to Fotona’s TwinLight® Periodontal Treatment, there is a nonsurgical alternative that provides a comprehensive, minimally invasive, and pain-free solution to severe cases of periodontal disease.
The procedure begins with the Nd:YAG laser, which the doctor uses to remove any of the diseased epithelial lining in the periodontal pocket. Essentially, the laser destroys any diseased gum tissue present in the infected and receded area surrounding a tooth caused by periodontal affliction. This tissue removal reveals a greater portion of the dental root surface, allowing for a comprehensive cleaning of the infected area.
Next, the dentist uses the Er: YAG laser to remove the calculus and microbial biofilm from the surface of the exposed root. Calculus is another name for a hardened yellow dental plaque that forms around the gum line. The calculus does not cause any infection itself, but its appearance exacerbates further plaque formation and interferes with oral hygiene. This buildup forms above and below the gums, which is why the Nd: YAG preparation is necessary. The microbial biofilm is the community of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in the mouth. The laser’s disinfection combats any reinfection of the gum line, ensuring that no contamination occurs in the recovering area.
Finally, the dentist uses the Nd: YAG laser again to coagulate the treated area and encourage a stable fibrin clot. Essentially, the laser facilitates the clotting and stabilization of the treated areas, jump starting healing and promoting gum regeneration. This means you are feeling better faster after the treatment!
Recovery time and procedures for TwinLight Periodontal Treatment are minimal, typically involving a short course of antibiotics to prevent infection, mild painkillers for the soreness and a few days of careful eating. Patients are usually back to normal activities within 24-48 hours.
Laser periodontal treatment is preferable to traditional surgical interventions for a number of reasons. Fundamentally, TwinLight has an added benefit in the laser’s therapeutic capabilities, working double-time as a method to combat infection and a facilitator of accelerated healing. This healing decreases the risk of post-treatment infection while also minimizing surgical bleeding and pain. TwinLight is usually painless or pain free, and can often be done without anesthetic. The procedure requires no suture or stitch removal, keeping the number of required visits to a minimum. TwinLight has an unsurpassed success rate, taking all the inconvenience out of major periodontal treatment.
While we are happy to offer Fotona’s TwinLight treatment as a fast and effective procedure, the best treatment for periodontal issues is prevention! Preventing periodontal disease has two main pillars: healthy living and dental diligence. The likelihood of developing periodontal disease increases exponentially with smoking, inactivity and non-nutritious eating, so ensuring that you are exercising, keeping away from tobacco and eating right is important. Proper dental hygiene is also crucial, with twice daily brushing, regular flossing and biannual visits to the dentist sustaining and confirming your oral health.
If you are experiencing plaque buildup, loose teeth, and receding gums, it is time for Fotona’s TwinLight Periodontal Treatment. Call us at 484-887-0777 to schedule your consultation. We will be happy to get your smile healthy!