Blog | Cornerstone Periodontics & Implants, PLLC

Understanding the LANAP® Treatment and Laser Gum Surgery

A Gentler Way to Treat Gum Disease Using Laser Surgery

Periodontal disease may seem harmless at first but can quickly become serious and lead to tooth loss, infection and even more serious physical conditions such as heart disease or stroke. While traditional treatments for gum disease were successful, new laser surgery allows for faster treatment, minimal risks and less damage to the healthy tissue.

The Differences Between Laser and Traditional Surgery

Laser surgery, known as LANAP®, is done with no cutting, sutures or incisions. Instead, the laser is used to clean the gums and remove diseased tissue. Because the laser can pinpoint tiny spots where there is a disease, remaining healthy tissue is supported and preserved. Healing is faster with laser surgery.

With traditional treatment, it was necessary to cut the gum line down to decrease the depth of the pocket. Laser treatment allows for only the damaged tissue to be treated, with less recession in the gum line. This makes for a more natural appearance after treatment.

As with most surgeries, traditional surgery for gum treatment can be painful and uncomfortable. Because there are no sutures or cutting with laser surgery, pain is greatly decreased. After traditional surgery, patients usually require some rest and downtime and pain medication. With the laser treatment, the discomfort is minimal and rarely do patients require pain medication post-treatment. Most patients who undergo LANAP® return to their regular schedule and daily routine almost immediately.

Finally, LANAP® allows for more predictable results in regard to tissue attachment and bone regeneration. The root surface is stimulated by the laser and restores teeth that were previously determined to be hopeless. Functionality can be restored, and results show that laser treatment allows for better long-term results.

Contact Us Today

If you have gum disease and require treatment, don’t waste any more time risking your teeth. Call Cornerstone Periodontics & Implants, PLLC, and schedule an appointment with Dr. Wang today.

Missing Teeth? All-On-4® May Be the Solution

As people age, the risk of teeth falling out increases. As such, it is fairly common for many older individuals to have multiple missing teeth. In fact, age does not always have to be a factor – many people are missing most or all of a full arch of teeth. If this describes you, you may be able to find prosthodontic solutions with a visit to your periodontist. Dr. Austin H. Wang and Tracey M. Vest of Cornerstone Periodontics & Implants, PLLC may be able to offer treatment solutions such as All-On-4® dental implants in Concord, NH.

Missing Teeth Leads to Other Problems

It may not seem like a big thing to be missing one or more teeth, but the issue may only worsen over time. Your teeth help to support your jawbone and maintain the shape of your mouth. When even a single permanent tooth falls out, your jawbone is at risk of deteriorating. The more it deteriorates, the more likely your other teeth are to shift and fall out as well.

Dental Implants Offer Benefits Similar to Real Teeth

An implant consists of a titanium post that our periodontists embed into the jawbone. This acts as a support to help stimulate the bone and prevent deterioration. In addition, it offers a secure anchor for the natural-looking crown that sits on top of the post. Basically, an implant can function just like your normal teeth, and you can care for it normally as well.

All-On-4® Is Great for Multiple Missing Teeth

All-On-4® offers the potential to replace up to a full arch of teeth using just four implant posts. The prosthodontic arch is secured in place by the four posts, offering a long-lasting solution for multiple missing teeth. In addition, the prosthodontic arch looks natural and allows you to eat your favorite foods without worrying about slippage.

Discover More Today

If you have multiple missing teeth, now is a great time to explore the All-on-4® option for restoring them. Contact Cornerstone Periodontics and Implants, PLLC today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Wang or Dr. Vest.

Understanding the Risks of Pregnancy Gingivitis

Many women—up to 70 percent of them—experience inflammation of the gums and infection during pregnancy. Not many realize that the changes are not just hormonal, the bleeding and inflammation of the gums experienced during this time is due to a gingivitis infection. The hormonal changes from pregnancy can alter the temperature and Ph balance in the mouth, leading to an overgrowth of infectious bacteria. This is what causes the symptoms. Despite this phenomenon being incredibly common, though, many pregnant women do not seek specific dental care for gum disease from a skilled periodontist. They should, though. Let’s talk about why.

Pregnancy Risks From Gingivitis

Recent research has begun to link premature birth and the health risks that come from it with periodontal disease and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. While this research is still in its early stages, studies both in and out of the developing world confirm that the risk of premature birth and complications is not determined by country of residence or lifestyle. There are ways to decrease this risk, though:

Form a relationship with a periodontist who has experience with pregnancy gingivitis
Get regular cleanings and check-ups, especially during pregnancy
Consult with your specialist whenever inflammation, bleeding gums, or other symptoms appear

Get Help With Your Gingivitis Symptoms

If you’re currently pregnant or considering becoming so, get yourself off to a healthy start by making sure your oral health is well handled. If you have managed any gingivitis symptoms you’re already experiencing, then it will be easier to spot and address new symptoms as they come up. This is a key step to ensuring you can manage any infection that appears during the pregnancy.

For more information about the relationship between gum disease and pregnancy, contact Cornerstone Periodontics & Implants, pllc and make an appointment. Dr. Wang and Dr. Vest can help you plan an oral health care routine that will prepare you for any eventuality if your pregnancy does cause oral health complications. Call today.

Preserve Your Smile After Tooth Loss With Dental Implants

If you’ve recently lost teeth due to advanced periodontal disease, accident, or for any other reason, finding the right replacement for the lost teeth is important. Waiting to act on a replacement option means giving your teeth time to shift, and this can permanently alter your smile, leading to complications that affect both your appearance and your ability to enjoy some of your favorite foods. If you have recently lost teeth, it’s time to talk to a periodontist about your options, and it’s time to consider whether dental implants in Concord, NH are right for you.

Why Dental Implants?

There are a few options for tooth replacement that patients can choose from, and there are good reasons to consider the alternatives for some patients. Dentures have been a solid full-arch replacement for teeth for centuries, and their design has been elevated over the course of the last fifty years as new materials are developed and new techniques for building them explored. Unfortunately, dentures will slowly change in fit and appearance over time as the gums change post-tooth loss.

Another option for partial tooth replacement is bridge work. It looks natural, and it lasts a long time. It can be damaged if you eat tough foods, though, and bridges are built with the expectation they’ll be replaced in about 15 years. Dental implants, on the other hand, have these advantages over the other two options:

Permanent tooth replacement
Titanium anchors to provide natural feedback to the gums and jaw
Beautiful porcelain replacement teeth for an esthetically pleasing smile

Call Today for an Appointment

Don’t wait. The more time you allow to pass before getting a tooth replacement in place, the more opportunity your teeth have to shift, altering your smile permanently. Dental implants can be used for a single tooth or for an entire arch, and most patients are candidates for the process. For more information, contact Cornerstone Periodontics & Implants, pllc to book a consultation appointment with the best Concord, NH periodontists Dr. Austin Wang and Dr. Tracey Vest.

Also click here to learn what to consider before dental implants.