In a editorial commentary. Dr. Robert Stewart at the Institute of Psychiatry Kings College London, notes the oral health of people with cognitive impairment should, at the very least, receive more clinical attention.
He adds: “If there are good reasons to suspect a link between oral health and cognition, why has this received so little attention to date? The obvious but rather prosaic reason is the historic separation between medicine and dentistry. Clinical specialists have long been a hindrance to effective research (an example being the lack of attention paid to the vascular etiology of dementia) and it is about time that we accepted that disorders do not necessarily follow the way we structure our professions.”
Laser Periodontal Therapy™ is a laser based technique for the treatment of periodontal disease using the Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc., PerioLase Laser. Fear of periodontal treatment vanishes when patients find out no scalpel or sutures will be used. Patient friendly laser treatment gets patients to agree to the treatment they need and continue with the follow-up care that is prescribed.
Our office is one of the first in the area to offer Laser Periodontal Therapy™ for the treatment of gingivitis and/or periodontitis.
How does it work?
Tartar, associated with inflamed and bleeding gums, is removed form the root surface of the tooth using an ultrasonic scaler and small instruments.
Then, a small amount of light energy from a laser is directed through a tiny fiber, which is gently placed between the gum and tooth. This light energy removes a tiny amount of diseased tissue and aids in reducing the bacteria associated with the disease. After the area is thoroughly cleaned, the body can heal the area naturally.
1. LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ also known as LANAP (laser assisted new attachment procedure) is easy since there’s no cutting and no suturing.
2. There’s much less discomfort with LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ than with standard surgery – during and after the procedure.
3. It takes less time than traditional surgery. All it takes is one 2 to 3 hour laser procedure visit and two follow up visits.
4. Traditional surgery requires four sessions of about one hour each, with subsequent visits for suture removal and additional check-ups.
5. LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ gives better, longer-lasting results. In fact, 98% of LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ treated patients remain stable after five years, while only 5% reportedly remain stable after surgery.
6. Drs Gallardo and Lamas will probably recommend a soft diet for a day or two, and common sense should prevail, but in most cases, patients feel good enough to eat anything they want right after the procedure.
7. Following traditional surgery, recovery can take between to 2-4 weeks during which patients can experience considerable pain and swelling, where they may be restricted to liquid or soft diets.
8. There’s less than 24 hour recovery period, so you won’t lose time from work.
9. LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ is safe for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, hemophilia, or those taking medications such as Coumadin or Cyclosporin.
10. LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ is less expensive than traditional gum surgery since materials such as bone grafts and stitches are not used. Deep cleanings ( scaling and root planing) are not necessary prior to starting treatment. This also saves on overall cost.
I just returned from the 95th Annual American Academy of Periodontology meeting in Boston. The meeting was held from September 12-15, 2009
The theme this year was “Achieving Periodontal Excellence”. It was important for me to attend as a representative of our practice because with world-renowned speakers and colleagues from all over the globe, I can gauge where we are in the spectrum of quality patient care and keeping up with technology. I attended advanced courses from Conscious Sedation to updates in Bone Regeneration and Dental Implants. Of special interest was a course on periodontal surgery without “cutting” or “stitches” using LANAP laser technology. We feel it is our obligation to understand all of the technologies available so as to best advise our patients and referring doctors. I was pleased to confirm what we had suspected. I am proud to say that we are a practice that continues to successfully challenge and inspire ourselves to be leaders in whatever emerges as driving forces in our profession. We made the commitment many years ago to serve our patients without compromise. We plan on keeping our promise to you!
John Paul Gallardo,DDS,PA
2020 SW 27th Avenue
