Even if you brush correctly, missing a small area, such as the spaces between your teeth, can allow hundreds of bacterial strains to build up around the bases of your teeth, irritating the gums. When left unchecked, the inflamed gums pull away from the teeth, exposing root and gum. A family history can predispose you to perio disease as well.
At this, the earliest and most treatable stage of gum disease, patients don’t normally seek treatment because they aren’t in pain. Unfortunately, seeking treatment after you have pain or notice loose teeth may mean losing your teeth. You may also increase your chances of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health conditions that are related to gum disease. Excellence in Dentistry gives patients treatment options who suffer from perio disease.
Periodontal Therapy With PerioLase®
No Cutting. No Sutures.
PerioLase® therapy is an alternative to gum surgery. The procedure is a less painful, less traumatic way to treat periodontal disease at any stage.
What’s different about Research Proven PerioLase®?
PerioLase® therapy involves using a special kind of laser called the PerioLase-MVP-7™, invented by two dentists in California. Dr. Robert Gregg and Dr. Delwin McCarthy spent years developing a better way to treat gum disease. The laser fiber, which is only about as wide as three human hairs, is inserted between the gum tissue and your tooth, where it painlessly removes the elements that cause gum disease.
How many treatments will I need?
The treatment doesn’t take much time at all — just two two-hour sessions versus eight to ten one-hour sessions with surgery. You don’t have to worry about bleeding, stitches or post-treatment infection, because your gums haven’t been cut.
What about recovery – will I be in pain or need to follow a special routine?
The sense of recovery is immediate, due to the laser’s ability to seal blood vessels, lymphatics and nerve endings. Of course, your tissue needs time to recover, regenerate and heal over the course of time, but after treatment, you can drive your car, go back to work, or do anything else you like.
Is PerioLase® covered by my insurance?
If your insurance company will reimburse for conventional periodontal surgery, they will reimburse for PerioLase®. Contact them to see if you are covered if you are unsure.
Perio Protect
Perio Protect is a simple, easy-to-use, at-home treatment for most cases of periodontal disease. With Perio Protect you will use a set of customized Perio Protect trays filled with doctor prescribed medication. The trays are then placed over your teeth and gums so that the medicine is pumped in the pocket or sulcus. By focusing the medicine into these areas, the bacteria growth is disrupted thus minimizing the progression of the disease. For all patients, Perio Protect can be used as a supplement to brushing and flossing; however, it is not a replacement, and patients must remember to continue brushing and flossing regularly.
For most people, the tray is used for only minutes each day and patients describe Perio Protect as comfortable, convenient, and easy to use.
Perio (Gum) Disease Symptoms
Many patients wait until their gums hurt to visit their dentist for gum disease. The key to treatment is early detection. Be on the lookout for the following signs of gum disease:
- Bleeding gums during tooth brushing or otherwise
- Sensitive, red or swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Teeth that are loose or appear to have shifted
If you have puffy or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment with us right away. Our dedicated periodontal team offers a variety of treatments to help you.