LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ (LPT™) is an FDA-approved
breakthrough in periodontal treatments. If you have been told
you need scalpel and suture gum surgery, there's a laser alternative
you need to learn about.
If you're like 200 million other Americans, you could be one
of 50% of Americans who have periodontal disease, the major cause
of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease starts off as plaque,
an opaque film, which eventually hardens, forming tartar or calculus.
Calculus deposits harbor bacteria, which infect the gums. In
early stages, this is called Gingivitis, characterized by red,
swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. Many people
experience bad breath and an unpleasant taste in their mouths
as well. Unchecked, Gingivitis progresses to Periodontitis, a
much more serious form of the disease where periodontal pockets
are formed, separating teeth from the gums and supporting bone
structure. Without treatment, infection becomes severe and the
pockets deepen, resulting in tooth loss.
Recent reports suggest a possible link between periodontal diseases
and other systemic conditions that can negatively affect a person’s
overall wellness, such as diabetes and heart disease. Bacteria
associated with periodontal disease have been linked to heart
disease, diabetes, stroke and preterm or low weight births. The
bacteria travel through the body’s veins and arteries using
them as a highway system to link to other parts of the body. Periodontal
bacteria can also spread from the oral cavity to the rest of the
body, including the lungs and can cause respiratory diseases associated
with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the sixth leading
cause of mortality in the United States.
The way to repair the damage is to get rid of the infection and
close up the pockets. Until now, that meant surgery and sutures.
But Dr. Weeks offers LPT™, a patient-friendly, minimally-invasive
procedure that’s a great improvement over standard gum surgery.
