Last updated 11 months ago
Gum disease can be painful and lead to chronic bad breath, tooth loss, and health problems throughout your body. It can be serious enough that you might need periodontal surgery. Luckily, Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, or LANAP, offers an alternative to invasive periodontal surgery, as it uses a laser instead of a scalpel to perform the procedure.
Before LANAP, dentists could offer only medications and surgery to patients with gum disease. Now, laser technology offers new advantages over these previous treatment methods, including:
No Incisions
Periodontal surgery usually involves folding back the pockets of gums around your teeth to remove plaque deposits. The periodontist stitches the gums back into place afterwards so that they fit tightly around the teeth. With LANAP, the periodontist can use a laser that is about the size of three hairs to clean away infection between the tooth and gum.
Shorter Time Commitment
After an initial consultation and x-rays, the dentist schedules the LANAP procedure if it's right for you. Depending on the extent of your gum disease, you will most likely only have to undergo one session lasting two hours or less. The procedure requires only a local anesthetic, so patients generally return to work the same day, and recovery takes about 24 hours, rather than two to four weeks as was required with previous surgical options.
Fewer Complications
Patients who take medications such as aspirin or blood thinners can safely have the LANAP procedure, as the laser seals the tissue as it cuts and there is little to no bleeding. There's no general anesthesia involved, and patients who have LANAP procedures usually have to eat soft foods for only a day or two, until the tissues heal and tenderness subsides.
Periodontists who perform LANAP should have the appropriate training to use this laser technology. Dr. Ron VanWechel of Colorado Advanced Dentistry is certified in LANAP. Call our office today at (720) 420-1103 to learn more about LANAP.
Last updated 11 months ago
Your teeth and oral health are important, so do your best to provide your mouth with proper at-home and professional dental care. If you need help figuring out the best way to care for your mouth, read through the following links.
Whether you need a routine checkup or are unsatisfied with your smile’s appearance, you can find excellent dental care by visiting Colorado Advanced Dentistry. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including periodontal treatment, dental implants, crown restoration, cavity care, and more. To schedule an appointment call (720) 420-1103 today.
Last updated 11 months ago
If you’re missing a tooth, talk to your dentist about a smile makeover that includes a dental implant. Dental implants can restore your self-confidence and permanently repair the appearance and functionality of your smile.
Dental Implants Are Less Bothersome
Dentures are notorious for causing oral pain and irritation. In addition, they can cause the gum line to recede over time. Dental bridges require healthy and stable teeth for placement, and can damage these teeth over time. Dental implants, however, do not cause irritation or gum recession, and do not require or damage healthy surrounding teeth. You won’t have to worry about implants falling out when you bite into your favorite foods and you won’t have to take them out when brushing or flossing.
Dental Implants Provide a Natural Look
If you choose full or partial dentures, you simply cannot get the same natural look or feel that you could with dental implants. Dental implants are beneficial because they are surgically implanted into the jaw bone, allowing them to look and function like natural teeth.
Dental Implants Offer A Permanent Solution
Losing your teeth can be difficult to experience. Dental implants can permanently restore your smile to its natural state so that you don’t have to suffer from missing teeth. Dentures, on the other hand, must be removed at night, cleaned by hand, and replaced over time.
Dental Implants Can Restore or Preserve Dental Health
Losing a tooth can disturb your remaining teeth and cause your oral bone to deteriorate. Having a missing tooth can also result in premature wear and tear on your teeth, aging the teeth and putting you at risk for further tooth loss. Dental implants replace the root of missing teeth, preventing bone loss, and can help preserve your overall dental health.
To speak with an experienced dentist about dental implants, call Colorado Advanced Dentistry at (720) 420-1103. We can repair your smile using the most advanced dental technology and modern dental restoration techniques. For more information, call us or visit our website today.
Last updated 1 year ago
Gingivitis is the mild form of gum disease, but if it isn’t treated early, it can lead to more serious dental health problems, including tooth loss, upper respiratory disease, and chronic bad breath.
If you would like to know more about this gum disease and how you can prevent it, check out this clip. You’ll learn about how to brush and floss, how to maintain an oral-health friendly diet, and how to keep gingivitis from progressing. If you want to maintain a beautiful and healthy smile, follow the tips in this video.
If you need help maintaining a healthy smile, visit Colorado Advanced Dentistry. We offer laser gum therapy, a gum disease treatment that is fast, minimally invasive, painless, and effective. To learn more about this treatment, visit our website or call us at (720) 420-1103 today.
Last updated 11 months ago
Gum disease is a harmful and common dental condition that is easily prevented with the right dental hygiene routine. By simply following your dentist’s instructions on how to maintain a healthy mouth, you can help ensure that you won’t develop gum disease. Take a look at the following information to learn who may be at risk for this condition:
- People Who Don’t Brush Twice a Day
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, develops as a result of plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque contains acidic bacteria that can break down oral tissue around the teeth and dissolve tooth enamel. When you brush your teeth, you scrub potentially harmful bacteria away, allowing your oral tissues to remain strong. If you don’t brush at least twice a day, oral bacteria can damage the gums that support your teeth, causing them to recede.
- People Who Don’t Floss Every Day
While it is essential to brush your teeth every day, you simply can’t stop there. Bacteria hide in the crevices between your teeth and under your gum line, which are places where your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing allows you to clean these areas and is an integral component of gum disease prevention. Failing to floss daily significantly increases your risk for gum disease and leads to a high risk of tooth loss. When you floss, be sure to glide the strand underneath the gums to reach hidden plaque. Do this daily to prevent tartar buildup.
- People Who Don’t Visit the Dentist
Modern toothbrushes and floss are designed to help prevent plaque buildup, but these items alone cannot remove all plaque and tartar. You should also visit your dentist two to three times a year for a routine exam and professional dental cleaning. This will further decrease your risk of developing gum disease, as well as cavities, tooth loss, and other dental health problems.
If you require a dental exam and cleaning, call Colorado Advanced Dentistry to schedule an appointment today. We specialize in general and restorative dentistry, which allows us to address a wide range of oral health needs. To find out more, call (720) 420-1103.
