Monday, March 22, 2010

I've been told I have gum disease and need surgery...is this important?...what are my alternatives?

Treating or controlling periodontal (gum) disease is very important because it is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults. In the USA, one in three adults at the age of 65 have no teeth! Aside from the dental concerns and day-to-day necessity to obtain nutrition by eating, gum disease has been linked to other serious diseases including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and pancreatic cancer. Controlling gum disease is indeed important to one's general health!

Aside from traditional "cut and sew" gum surgery to treat gum disease an effective, patient-friendly, FDA-cleared alternative exists: Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP). The LANAP protocol is a laser-based, minimally-invasive procedure that delivers superior results in controlling gum disease. This specific protocol uses a thin, laser fiber to clear out the infected tissue and stimulate healing in a procedure that has little discomfort and downtime.

I have provided the LANAP protocol to patients of my practice for 4 consecutive years now and have witnessed the superior results myself. There is no longer a reason to fear treatment of gum disease. The advanced technology of the LANAP protocol offers a patient-friendly solution to a very common, yet often ignored, health problem.