Gum Disease & Heart Health
“We all think that cholesterol is important to heart disease. The health of your gums is a more important predictor of whether or not you will have a heart attack or not.”
Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., FACSDirector, Cardiovascular Institute
Columbia Medical Center, NYC
ABC News, Good Morning America: December 15, 2008
More On Laser Dentistry
Featured Services
- Dental Implants
- LANAP® Laser Treatment
- BMP-2
- Cone Beam 3-D Imaging
- Digital X-rays
- Emergency Care
- Gum Grafting
- Intraoral Camera
- Occlusal Adjustment
- Perio Protect®
- Piezosurgery
- Sedation
- Tooth Extraction
For New Patients
The Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®)
Dr. Timothy Walsh provides LANAP® as an alternative to traditional gum surgery. If you have gum disease and need immediate treatment in Westmont, IL, schedule a consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Here is a closer look at how LANAP® is performed:
1. Pocket Depth Measurement
The first step of the laser treatment involves measuring the depths of your periodontal pockets using a special instrument. This tells Dr. Walsh how much loss of attachment has actually occurred.
2. Bacteria Removal with a Laser
Dr. Walsh will pass pulsed laser light over the infected tissue to kill the bacteria that is causing gum disease. Healthy gum tissue, tooth roots, and bone tissue are left untouched. The procedure is minimally invasive when compared with traditional surgery and provides more comfort to the patient.
3. Calculus Removal
Calculus, or tartar, is removed from the root surfaces of the tooth structure using small ultrasonic scalers. The laser works to break down the calculus so that these deposits are easier to remove with the ultrasonic scaling instruments.
4. Clot Formation
The laser is passed over the bottom of the pocket a second time to stimulate soft tissue growth and also promote bone regeneration. This creates a blood clot and seals the area for healing to take place.
5. Tissue Compression
The gum tissue is recompressed against the surfaces of the teeth. Dr. Walsh does not need to use any sutures.
6. Bite Adjustment
Dr. Walsh will adjust your bite to ensure that your teeth fit together properly. This is even more important if you have experienced significant bone loss.
Laser dentistry in Westmont, IL is a minimally invasive way to treat your periodontal disease. If you want to learn more about laser dentistry, set up your consultation for gum disease treatment in Westmont, IL today!