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What Is Lanap Laser Therapy

Your teeth are loose, and your gums bleed when brushed, they are red and swollen, you have persistent bad breath? You must act quickly before your teeth fall ill. Until now, the standard treatment for gum disease at advanced stages was surgery. 

Today, we have at our disposal a new tool: the laser! The laser technique is less cumbersome and less painful than surgery. It is an interesting alternative for treating periodontitis (gum disease).

This article will explore the effectiveness of laser dentistry in treating gum disease.

What Makes You A Good Candidate For Lanap Laser Therapy
What is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis or periodontal disease is the destruction of the tissues that support the teeth, the periodontium, whose gum is the visible part. This destruction is caused by bacteria in scale.

If nothing is done for months or even years, the teeth gradually come off without pain and eventually fall, because the bacteria destroy the fibers that anchor the tooth inside the bone.

This place is fantastic. Dr. Patel and staff are professional, patient, kind and knowledgeable. I was referred to this office by my dentist and I am truly grateful that I now have such an elite team on board with my dental care.

Total Implants 09949

Meet Dr. Samir Patel !

Our Fort Mill periodontist, Dr. Samir Patel, has extensive education & experience in the field of periodontics!

What Are the Benefits of Laser Dentistry?

Whether using surgery or laser, the goal is to thoroughly clean the supporting tissue to remove tartar, and therefore bacteria.

“In surgical treatment, the gingiva is removed from the bone with a scalpel and then cleaned by curettage. The disadvantages of this treatment are a pain, bleeding, swelling of the tissues, and sometimes also post-surgical retraction of the gums. With the laser, we do not encounter any of these side effects, because this technique is not intrusive.

The laser tip is inserted into the existing pockets between the gingiva and the tooth. The only side effect for some is a transient sensitivity to cold and heat for a few days, “says the dentist.

How Does Laser Dentistry Treat Gum Disease?

After locally anesthetizing the gingiva, the laser, with or without oxygenated water depending on its type, is applied on and under the gums. It generates a beam of light, which has a bactericidal and biostimulant action promoting the healing and closing of the pockets between the gingiva and the tooth. Four one-hour sessions are necessary.

In a week, results are visible. The laser is a very effective treatment, which has no contraindications, but it asks the patient, like any periodontal treatment, to undergo scrupulous oral hygiene.

Looking for a Dentist Who Does Laser Therapy in Fort Mill?

Our periodontist Dr. Samir Patel is exeperienced in providing laser dental treatments in Fort Mill, SC! If you have any additional questions about laser dentistry, periodontics, or would like to schedule with Dr. Patel, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly staff today! We look forward to serving you.

What Is Soft Tissue Grafting

Whether for the replacement of one or more teeth, implants represent one of the greatest advances of the last decades in the field of dentistry, offering the possibility of fixing crowns or dental prostheses to the jaws permanently.

The most commonly used implants are cylindrical screws made of titanium. They are inserted into the jaw bone and serve as artificial tooth roots to support crowns, bridges and other partial or complete dentures.

However, in some cases, patients may need to get a bone graft prior to getting an implant. This article will explore that relationship between the two. 

What Are Dental Implants
The Benefits of Dental Implants
  • Implants restore the aesthetics and comfort of natural teeth. 
  • They allow to find a chewing promoting normal digestion. 
  • They preserve the jaw bone and prevent premature aging of the face. 
  • It’s a long-term solution. 
  • Implants help restore confidence and self-esteem. 

Who are Dental Implants For?

Implants are an excellent solution for patients with the following characteristics:

  • A healthy general health profile
  • Healthy gums

However, a sufficient amount of bone to support the implants is necessary. If there was atrophy of the jawbone, bone grafting may be necessary before receiving the implants.

Additionally, dental implants are only installed in patients with facial skeleton growth, usually at 18 years of age. However, there is no age limit for receiving implants.

Your periodontist, Dr. Samir Patel will be able to confirm that you are a good candidate to receive implants during a consultation.

Dr. Patel gave me so much comfort and assurance to relieve my anxiety of having dental surgery (bone graft). He has compassion in caring for his patients that leads to relaxing and trusting him completely. His staff made me feel welcome with a very caring and personable attitude. Dr. Patel and his staff are an amazing team together. I would highly recommend Dr. Patel and his staff. You won't be disappointed.

Total Implants 09949

Meet Dr. Samir Patel !

Our Fort Mill periodontist, Dr. Samir Patel, has extensive education & experience in the field of periodontics!

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

The placement of an implant is done under local anesthesia and is not painful.

An intravenous sedation can be administered to reduce anxiety and ensure relaxation and comfort during implant placement.

What is Bone Grafting?

Minimal bone volume is required for implant placement. This bone could be lost over the years where the teeth are missing.

When the amount of bone is insufficient, it becomes necessary to proceed to increase by bone graft.

Modern techniques now make bone regeneration possible, allowing us to perform implant placement after healing.

What is the Process of Getting Dental Implants?

Replacing missing teeth with implants is a procedure that is done in different stages over a period of a few months.

These steps include:

  • An assessment of the patient (clinical examination, x-rays, medical history, etc.). Treatments are planned and coordinated with your dentist
  • Of interventions prior such as extractions or bone grafts are planned only if necessary
  • The placement of one or more implants in the jaw bone (the implant will need a period of 3 to 6 months to bind firmly to the bone)
  • The installation of a prosthesis on the implant (s) (crown, bridge or other type of dental prosthesis)

What Can I Expect After Treatment?

The treatment steps could vary greatly from one patient to another. Your surgeon will meet you first for an initial consultation during which he will be able to confirm the treatment schedule.

For a majority of patients, only one surgical step will be necessary. A healing period of 3 to 6 months is expected (period when the implant merges with the bone). During this time, it will be possible to wear a temporary prosthesis to replace the missing tooth(s). In some cases, it is even possible to extract the teeth, place the implants and put in the mouth a prosthesis fixed to the implants in a few hours.

Questions? Contact our Periodontist in Fort Mill!

Our periodontist in Fort Mill, Dr. Samir Patel, is experienced in providing both dental implants & bone grafts in Fort Mill, SC! If you have any questions about bone grafts or dental implants — or are looking to schedule an appointment — please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly staff! We look forward to treating you and your family.