Comfortably Heal Gums With LANAP Gum Disease Treatment in Kennewick, WA
You may worry about cavities, but they aren’t the leading cause of tooth loss. More adult teeth are lost to gum disease than to anything else. Many people don’t realize they have this serious condition until it’s in an advanced stage where tooth loss is a serious risk.
Dr. Jeff Morgan on Gum Disease Treatment
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The LANAP treatment helps someone who is showing signs of gum disease by eradicating the disease through a process, which, you go in and you laser the bacteria and infected tissue to where you arrest that disease and you make it so that that bacteria's not growing anymore.
It's the only FDA-approved treatment that can stimulate the bone and eradicate that disease in this fashion, and it's something that's a very up-and-coming technology, but also something that's been proven.
The old procedure, I guess you would say, is the osteo surgery, and the osteo surgery would be where you go back and you lay a flap and you open up that tissue and you mechanically take out the diseased bone in the areas of the gums that are diseased.
Now, we can go through, and it's minimally invasive, because we can go through with a laser and eradicate that disease, stimulate that bone to grow, and really, I mean, the best part about it is the patient the next day only needs an ibuprofen.
It's very uninvasive, and it's a very comfortable procedure during and after the appointment.
Traditional treatment involves scalpels and sutures. Our Kennewick, WA dentists, however, use LANAP gum disease treatment. The FDA-approved LANAP (laser assisted new attachment procedure) uses a laser, so there’s no cutting.
Our laser treatment is:
- More Targeted – The laser destroys the bacteria in diseased tissue but doesn’t affect your healthy tissue.
- Less Invasive – Unlike traditional gum disease treatment, there is no cutting or stitching. Only a minimal amount of tissue is removed.
- More Comfortable – The procedure causes minimal discomfort. Recovery is quicker and more comfortable too.
- Faster – We can often complete your procedure in a single appointment.
If you think you may need gum disease treatment, call Grandridge Dental at 509-737-1800.
Don’t Ignore Gum Disease Symptoms
Our dentists check for signs of gum disease during every dental exam. However, you should see us right away if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Bright red gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth, or any other time
- Teeth that look longer than before
- Swollen or tender gums
- Painful chewing
- Chronic bad breath
- Teeth that feel loose
- A bite that seems different
Prevent Gum Disease From Threatening Your Teeth – & Health
The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. It happens when bacteria in your mouth cause your gums to become inflamed. Good oral hygiene at home and a professional dental cleaning can often reverse the disease at this stage. If left untreated, though, your gums begin pulling away from your teeth and form “pockets.” When bacteria gets inside the pockets, it causes an infection that damages your bone and connective tissue. At this stage, you can lose teeth.
Our laser destroys the bacteria, removes diseased tissue, and closes the gap between teeth and gums so bacteria can’t enter. It also promotes the growth of healthy new tissue. Since LANAP involves no cutting, your risk of infection during recovery is minimal.
While potentially losing teeth is bad enough, medical research has also linked gum disease to several serious health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain cancers. Treatment may reduce your risk of systemic health conditions or further complications if they already exist.
Know Gum Disease Risk Factors
Gum disease is most common in those 30 and older. It’s more prevalent in men than in women. Among the factors that can make you more susceptible:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Smoking
- Dry mouth
- Diabetes
- Hormonal changes, such as those associated with pregnancy
In addition, some people just have a genetic predisposition for gum disease.
To see if LANAP gum disease treatment can improve your oral health – and overall health – call 509-737-1800. You’ll find our Kennewick, WA dentist office near Three Rivers Convention Center and the Columbia Park Trail.