Periodontitis is the inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth that often causes recession of gums, bone loss and loosening of the teeth. Periodontitis is an infectious gum disease caused by the build up of bacteria and hardened plaque, which we call tartar or calculus. People at risk for periodontal disease are at a higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, strokes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis and low birth weight babies, among other systemic diseases.
Periodontitis is customarily treated with a combination of hand scalers and an ultrasonic scaler. This method is called Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) or deep cleaning below the gum line. While typical methods of SRP remove biofilm and hardened bacteria that leads to Periodontitis, we know that it does not alone completely eliminate these microorganisms. In fact, studies have shown that these microorganisms can recolonize within three months of treatment. It has been shown that SRP in conjunction with laser therapy significantly decreases the population of disease promoting bacteria, creating a long term improvement of periodontal condition and restoring health.
What is laser treatment and what are the benefits when combined with SRP?
Laser treatment is Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In more layman’s terms this simply means, during laser use the highly focused light of the laser beam reflects off inflamed necrotic tissue and is absorbed breaking down the diseased tissue while at the same time decreasing bleeding and inflammation, disrupting and reducing bacteria and promoting the acceleration of healing, ultimately stimulating the generation of new healthy tissue. It is this new healthy tissue that decreases the depth of the pocket, improving pocket depth.
Who should receive laser treatment? Patients who have bleeding upon probing, tooth brushing or flossing, pocket depths of 4 millimeters or deeper, and tissue that is inflamed with or without bleeding.
Does laser treatment hurt? No. Most of our patients find laser therapy to be even more comfortable than the ultrasonic scaler or hand scaling. Laser treatment is used without any anesthetics or numbing gels. Patients often report, if anything, a slightly warming sensation.
It is the purpose of this article to educate our patients, allowing them to become more empowered in understanding the connection between oral and systemic disease as well as creating value to our patients, ensuring their commitment to their needed care.
