Want evidence that you can have a good-looking smile but an unhealthy mouth? Look no further than Yankee legend A-Rod, who recently turned up on CBS Mornings to talk about having been diagnosed with gum disease.
“Looks can be deceiving,” he said, smiling. “I just recently went to see my dentist and not thinking anything about any gum disease. And the dentist tells me the news, and then I come to find out over 65 million Americans have this gum disease.”
The TV spot was actually part of A-Rod’s new role as brand ambassador for a new brand of minocycline, an antibiotic intended to be used along with the standard “deep cleaning” called scaling and root planing (SRP).
SRP is an effective treatment, to be sure, and natural adjuncts such as ozone have been shown to make it even more effective, without the use of drugs. Even just improving nutrition can lead to significant improvements in periodontal health, even if hygiene and all the rest stays the same.
It’s Important to Take Gum Disease Seriously
Be that as it may, we’re still glad that someone as high profile as A-Rod is trying to bring attention to a serious disease that too many people don’t seem to take all that seriously – even as science clearly shows that it raises your risk of many medical conditions, from heart disease to Alzheimer’s to some cancers. After all, as we noted before, there often aren’t many obvious symptoms until the disease has progressed.
But by that time, the infection has usually started to damage the soft tissues and bone that support your teeth. As more bone is lost, some teeth may begin to loosen in their sockets. Eventually, they may be recommended for extraction to help preserve the health of other teeth – unless they fall out on their own first.
Healthy teeth need strong, healthy bone to support them. The one thing that SRP can’t do – even with ozone (or antibiotics, for that matter) – is help you grow new bone.
But there is a procedure that can: LANAP.
Regenerating Damaged Tissues with LANAP Laser Treatment
LANAP stands for “laser assisted new attachment procedure.” It’s a gentle, non-invasive technique that’s been scientifically proven to result in true periodontal regeneration: new bone growth and gum tissue reattachment.
The special laser we use for this procedure is what’s called an Nd: YAG unit. (Those initials stand for – brace yourself! – “neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet,” which is the type of crystal it contains to intensify the light.) Its variable pulses interact with different tissues in different ways, at a wavelength that targets the diseased areas without harming the healthy ones.
Penetrating deep into the tissue, the laser vaporizes harmful bacteria, along with any diseased tissue. No scalpel or sutures are needed. In fact, you scarcely feel a thing as we target the specific source of inflammation to slow or stop attachment loss, decrease pocket depth, and allow the body to recover from the chronic infection.
With LANAP, the hard and soft tissues that support your teeth now have the opportunity to regenerate – a process that the laser itself helps stimulate. No other periodontal therapy at this time holds this formerly unbelievable promise of generating new bone.
And that’s exactly why we’re proud to offer it at the Holistic Dental Center, and why our patients who have experienced it are so pleased with the results. LANAP can literally save your teeth, all by saving your gums and jawbone.
The Benefits of LANAP
- Preserves Healthy Tissue: LANAP selectively targets the infected areas, leaving healthy gum tissue untouched. This precision ensures that the rejuvenation process is focused solely on restoring what’s been damaged.
- Minimally Invasive: Unlike traditional gum surgery, LANAP involves minimal discomfort and downtime. The use of laser technology reduces bleeding and accelerates healing, allowing you to return to your daily activities more swiftly.
- Stimulates Regeneration: By harnessing the power of laser energy, LANAP stimulates the growth of new tissue, promoting the regeneration of gum tissue and supporting the attachment of your teeth. This natural regrowth contributes to the revitalization of your smile.
- Long-Term Oral Health: Through the elimination of harmful bacteria and the promotion of tissue regeneration, LANAP provides a sustainable solution for preventing the progression of gum disease. By addressing the root cause of the problem, this therapy aids in maintaining optimal oral health for years to come.
