Laser Periodontal Therapy is a laser-based approach to gum disease using an Nd:YAG free running pulsed laser requiring specific knowledge and skills drawn from the whole dentistry. To you the patients this means: less pain, less bleeding, less swelling, less tissue removed, less down time, and less recovery time which is decidedly less costly to you and your employer. The reasons we use Laser Periodontal Therapy are to: remove only the diseased tissue without removing any of the healthy tissue, maintain the height of the tissue around teeth, minimize pain and discomfort to the patient, get a closure of the periodontal pocket wound and allow healing to take place. Controlling periodontal disease makes it possible to save and restore otherwise hopeless involved teeth.

Laser assisted re-Attachment Procedure

The laser is used in our practice to assist or enhance specific treatment procedures by destroying the cell walls of bacteria and aiding in wound healing. The ultra thin fiber can enter the gingival sulces allowing for treatment and repair with out elevating gingival flaps.

How does the Laser work?

The laser assisted re- attachment procedure offers our patients a significantly less traumatic alternative to traditional periodontal surgery. The word laser is an acronym for light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Meaning the laser takes light of varying directions and wavelengths and maximizes its energy by arranging it in one common wavelength and direction. There are number of safety features built into the laser to ensure continued safe operations. In July of 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared laser assisted surgery as a new innovated way to perform periodontal treatment.

Benefits of Laser Attachment surgery:

The laser pulses its energy at l\ 10,000"' of a second. This speed is too fast to trigger a neural response and thus works beyond the patient's threshold of pain. Meaning in some cases a reduction o1 Anesthesia is used. Post treatment discomfort is occasionally experienced for I to 3 days and can usually be controlled with a mild pain reliever like Mortin or Lorcet. As the laser removes tissue it also seals some of the blood vessels, thereby reducing or eliminating bleeding. This reduction not only makes the post opt care more comfortable for the patient but also enhances our field if vision, improving operating conditions.

Disinfection of Pockets:

Studies have shown a reduction of bacteria on dentin from 100 million to 100 in only 20 seconds of application. This is considered hospital-level disinfection which indicates tremendous potential for pocket disinfection. Studies have shown that the number of cells destroyed via laser surgery is less or the same as the number destroyed in the conventional scalpel surgery. Thus this breakthrough solution safetly improves:

• Gingival Bleeding-Reducing bleeding from the gums
  
• Probe Depth-Reducing the depth of the periodontal pocket
  
• Attachment Level-increasing the level of tissue attachment
  
• Tooth Mobility- Lessening the severity of loose teeth
  
• New Attachment Levels- While creating or establishing a new connective
  tissue attachment

Home Care: Following treatment a soft tooth brush is recommended and will be given to you by your doctor. Soft to liquid foods are recommended for about a week. It will be very important that no periodontal probing is done for 6 months by your doctor or dental hygienists.

Approximately 75% of the population struggles with Periodontal Disease. This is a chronic infection. Controlling Periodontal Disease makes it possible to save and restore otherwise hopelessly involved teeth. An emerging treatment method is now available through the use of the newest Perio-Lase Laser known as "LANAP". This is an excellent form of treatment. The goal of LANAP is to stop the progress of the disease and often reverses the affects on the way to helping maintain a healthy mouth.

Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, or LANAP, is a laser-based approach to gum disease using an Nd:YAG free running pulsed laser designed and built specifically to treat Periodontal Disease. The laser and its patented protocol require specific knowledge, training, and skill of the practitioner. In most cases no sutures are required.

To you, the patients, this can mean: less pain, less bleeding, less swelling, less tissue removed, less down time, and less recovery time which is decidedly less costly to you and your employer. More importantly, the anxiety which often prevents us from receiving timely treatment in most cases can be reduced allowing for early intervention.

There are, however, some cases of Periodontal Disease that require soft or hard tissue addition or grafting procedures to cover exposed roots or build up quantities of lost bone. A conventional surgical technique may be required to eliminate the "gummy smile" by reducing excess tissue. Preparing the gum tissue around teeth with damaged fillings and crowns may require a conventional surgical technique which has been successfully implemented for many years. The purpose of the surgical technique is to recontour the root, bone, and gum at the same time as the teeth are prepared for caps or crowns. A periodontist will often work with the restorative dentist to develop the optimal results.

A skilled practitioner can evaluate your dental needs to determine if the Laser Periodontal Therapy, or LANAP, would be appropriate for your individual dental condition, or if conventional surgical treatment would be best for you. It is the periodontist's desire to offer you, the ,patient, the clinical skill and judgment to help you make the right decision in each case.

You have just been diagnosed with periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease. Approximately 75% of the population struggles with this disease. We are excited to provide you with the latest method of treatment.

Dr. Kenzik's primary concern is for your comfort and safety. We prescribe you to take antibiotics to prevent the possibility of infection and to take Motrin (ibuprofen) to control micro-inflammation and swelling. Some patients may need to take Valium prior to the procedure this is just to help you relax. If you choose to take Valium, someone else MUST drive you to and from our office.

LPT is a relatively painless procedure. Most patients experience little to no discomfort. In fact, you can expect to return to work the day after surgery.

One of the contributing factors of periodontal disease is trauma from tooth to tooth contact; therefore we will require you to sleep with a night guard. It may also be necessary to make minor adjustments to your teeth so that they all function equally (bite together with an even amount of force).

Periodontal disease is a chronic infection. LPT is an excellent form of treatment, but it is not a cure. THERE IS NO CURE FOR PERIODONTAL DISEASE. The goal of LPT is to reverse some of the effects of the disease and to help you maintain a healthy mouth.

Your home care is very important. We will make certain recommendations regarding your home came are custom fit to your mouth. This will include and antibacterial mouth RINSE. We cannot stress enough the importance of good daily hygiene habits. In addition, we will continue to schedule three month maintenance appointments with one of our hygienists.

By continuing this partnership, we will help you to treat this serious disease. Our goal is to assist you with obtaining the best care for your mouth and to preserve good overall health.