New Weapons against Periodontal (Gum) Disease

What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

When gum disease is only superficial it's called Gingivitis, but if the pockets around the tooth are deeper than 3 to 4mm it is called Periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a mixture of sticky carbon hydrates, different kinds of bacteria and minerals which fill the space around the tooth and grow downwards like a 'coral reef', separating the tooth from the bone and leading to gum retracement. If this process isn't stopped, the tooth becomes wobbly and afterwards it will fall out.

Until now the treatment consisted of mechanical removal of Plaque and tartar. But scaling, root planning and scratching is not a good enough treatment!

LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure)

The new possibilities of the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) does it much better! Instead of only mechanically removing the germs (which is impossible), the Laser is killing the germs using its powerful light. Not only that the Laser also 'pumps' energy into the remaining surrounding bone cells, so they start to re grow!!! This procedure reverses the gum destroying diseases and is now available for the first time.

The laser treatment has been approved by the American FDA for a couple of years. The Laser treatment has to be done with a cleaning and root planning for all teeth in ONE appointment. The protocol has to be a so called 'Full Mouth Disinfection'.

PARO-PROTECT-SYSTEM

Previously after successful Periodontal Treatment there was always the problem of maintaining the results. But now we use the PARO-PROTECT-SYSTEM to maintain the healthy gums. This treatment provides patients with specially designed shields that they wear from 2 to 5 hours a week. The shields protect the self healing process of the gums and hold a antibacterial medication in place, this ensures that it is not washed away by saliva!

As you can see, the combination of both treating and maintaining will improve a patients oral health.