2020 SW 27th Avenue
When comparing the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) to the most basic traditional treatment-osseous surgery or flap surgery-the answer is a resounding YES! This is because it is a minimally invasive treatment modaility that DOES NOT require incisions with a scalpel , DOES NOT require bone grafting and DOES NOT require stitches. Despite the conservative nature of the laser procedure, the results are just as good if not better in some cases.
The treatment can be performed with either IV conscious sedation anesthesia or with just local anesthesia using the very comfortable Wand anesthesia which is computer controlled to minimize discomfort during injections. Hope this helps.
Dr. John Paul Gallardo
February 1, 2012
Is LANAP less painful than traditional treatments for periodontal disease?
October 11, 2011
How soon will I be able to go back to work after getting all-on-4 implants?
The next day! Although there could be exceptions, most of my All-on-4 patients have insisted that they could have gone to work the next morning after the dental implants and new teeth have been placed. I had a recent case where the gentleman actually drove into work despite being excused because he was so eager to share his new smile with everyone at the office!
June 1, 2011
I’ve had problems with my teeth my whole life. Why shouldn’t I just get them all pulled out and get dentures?
Weighing the Pros and Cons: Dental Implants vs. Dentures
Dental Implant Cons: Over time, a little more costly
Dental Implant Pros:
• Secure bond means no slipping or moving around
• Low maintenance
• Long-lasting often permanent solution
• Look and function like natural teeth
• Preserve the bone
• Help to prevent gum and bone deterioration, jawbone recession and facial collapse
Denture Pros: lower cost
Denture Cons:
• Insecure bond causes slippage and movement
• Problems with speaking
• Problems with eating
• Discomfort, irritation and sores
• Regular cleaning required
• Eventual replacement required
• Do not preserve the bone and can further jawbone recession and facial collapse
May 26, 2011
I feel I’m too old for braces. Does Invisalign work better than braces?
Invialign and braces can be an excellent component of a dental treatment plan for the adult patient. Tooth movement can have amazing cosmetic benefits as well as improvements in the potential health of the gums and underlying bone. From my perspective as a periodontist, the concern that I have for any adult patient facing orthodontic treatment is the health of their gums. Many adults as well as children can have either too much gum tissue or not enough. A receding gum line on one or more teeth can worsen with tooth movement so the first step may need to be a gingival improvement procedure. A much more difficult condition for the patient to “self-diagnose” is that of bacterial periodontal disease since in some cases it may be present without symptoms as a “silent disease”. Periodontal disease is the most common reason we see for people losing their teeth. A periodontal examination including probe measurements of at least six different areas around each tooth to evaluate for gum and bone attachment loss is the most common way to rule this out. The normal range would be that of 1 to 3mm crevices without bleeding. Any measurements greater than 3mm especially with inflammation may require periodontal treatment and/or monitoring. The movement of diseased teeth with braces or Invisalign is a big problem and can be disastrous in some cases even accelerating tooth loss. Luckily many cases can be treated quickly with the minimally invasive PerioLase laser using the LANAP protocol before starting orthodontic movement of any kind. This can save your smile!
August 12, 2010
My nine year old daughter just lost one of her adult teeth. What do you recommend that I do about this? I know dental implants are expensive but I am willing to get her one if that is the best option.
Although a dental implant will probably be the best option for her, she may not be ready to have a dental implant placed just yet because of her age and incomplete gowth. But that doesnt mean we should ignore some very important considerations. Yes, a dental implant will probably be her best option in terms of replacing a tooth in the most natural, least invasive way. This is beacuse an implant tooth replacement does not require the dentist to cut healthy natural teeth adjacent to the tooth that is being replaced as a conventional bridge would. Also, if the bone and gum after a tooth removal is left to heal on its own without the use of a bone and tissue preservation protocol, it usually begins to shrink or atrophy. The consequences could be cosmetic in that the missing tooth space when replaced may require an unsightly longer artificial tooth. Bone requires function to maintain itself. In the mouth this can only be accomplished with a health tooth root or a dental implant. The atrophy, if allowed to take place, could also lead to a more complex and more expensive bone grafting surgery in the future. So my advice is to have a consultation to evaluate for the following among other things: 1. Bone preservation/augmentation procedure. 2.Temporary tooth for cosmetic and space maintenance that would help transition the case until she is old enough for the implant (when she stops growing). 3. An Orthodontic consult to determine whether there is a general need for braces as well as specifically looking at the spacing remaining in the area of the missing tooth ( since teeth can be moved orthodontically but implants can’t). Finally, consider that implants may not be as expensive as you think when you compare them to the cost of reversing the negative changes that could take place if a good treatment plan is not developed.
