What is Periodontal Disease?
If you are like 100 million other Americans, you could be one of the 50 percent who have periodontal disease, the major cause of tooth loss in adults!
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums. It starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form calculus or tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria which attacks the soft tissue around gums. This early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Symptoms include red, swollen gums; bleeding when you brush or floss; and bad breath. This leads to periodontitis, and at this stage, bacteria destroys both the gums and the supporting bone structure. Left untreated, periodontitis eventually results in tooth loss.
Periodontal disease affects almost half the adult population. It has been implicated in a whole host of diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes and more.
Laser Periodontal Therapy (LPT) or LANAP is a patient-friendly, minimally invasive procedure that is a great improvement over standard gum surgery. It is a less painful, less traumatic way to treat periodontal disease at any stage. There’s no cutting or stitches! The laser fiber, which is only about as wide as a couple of human hairs, is inserted between the gum tissue and the tooth, where it painlessly removes the noxious elements that cause gum disease.
For additional information on Laser Periodontal Therapy (LANAP) or other dental procedures, contact Dr. Mariela Lung, The Family Dentist, 863−647−3222.