Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): LANAP®-Laser Therapy for Periodontal Disease

The presence of loose teeth or teeth that appear to be shifting can be a warning sign of a much bigger oral health issue. If your teeth are becoming loose or seem to be moving, schedule an appointment with Associates of Dental Arts as soon as possible. Our team will check your teeth and gums for gum disease and any other oral health problems that might be causing loose teeth and gum recession.

Causes of Loose Teeth

Some people have loose teeth because of an injury or trauma to the mouth, but others might experience loose teeth as an outcome of periodontal disease. When you are in the advanced stages of gum disease, bacteria start to destroy the bone and gum tissue around the teeth. There may also be loss of attachment between the gums and the teeth. As the supportive structures break down, your teeth can start to shift, become loose, and eventually fall out.

In some cases, loose teeth can also be a side effect of an underlying health problem that increases the chances of developing periodontal disease. At Associates of Dental Arts, we can determine the cause of your loose teeth and any gum recession issues that may be affecting your oral health.

Signs and Symptoms of Loose Teeth

• Inflammation of the gums
• Gums that bleed
• Pus accumulation around the teeth
• Food particles stuck between the teeth or underneath the gums
• Receding gums

All of these symptoms can also be signs of an active infection in the mouth. Since the early stages of gum disease are reversible, it is important that you get the treatment you need as early as possible.

Associates of Dental Arts offers several treatment options for loose teeth including antibiotic therapy, extractions, deep cleanings, and tooth replacement with dental implants. 

Neglecting to brush and floss your teeth every day can increase your risk of developing oral health problems and symptoms such as bad breath. If you have an infection in your mouth or are in the advanced stages of gum disease, you may notice that bad breath is even more difficult to mask with breath sprays or by brushing your teeth more often. The medical term for bad breath is halitosis. Set up a consultation with Associates of Dental Arts for bad breath treatment and a complete oral health evaluation.

Here are some of the most common causes of bad breath:

Food
Sometimes eating foods with strong odors, such as cheese, garlic, onions, coffee, and spicy foods can cause bad breath. Even though brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash after eating these foods can mask the odor for a few hours, you may still have bad breath until the food passes through your body.

Poor Oral Hygiene
If you are not brushing or flossing your teeth regularly, bacteria can grow between your teeth and around the gums and tongue. Poor oral hygiene can cause bad breath and increase your risk of developing gum disease, one of the main causes of gum recession. Talk with our team to learn more about proper oral hygiene practices.

Lifestyle Habits
Your lifestyle and daily habits may be contributing to chronic bad breath. If you are using tobacco products, you may not only have bad breath but might also experience gum irritation and notice a change in your taste buds.

Gum Disease
Not only can gum disease lead to tooth loss, but it can also cause bad breath. When you have excessive plaque and bacterial buildup around your teeth, the extra toxins in your mouth can eventually irritate the gums and break down your gum tissues and jaw bone. Having an active infection in your mouth can give you bad breath.

Other causes of halitosis include cavities, dry mouth, chronic sinus infections, and acid reflux. The team at Associates of Dental Arts can recommend a treatment plan and provide examples of lifestyle changes to help you get rid of bad breath for good.

Signs of gum disease, such as bleeding gums, gum recession, and bad breath must be taken seriously. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with Associates of Dental Arts as soon as possible. Our team offers laser treatment options for adults with gum disease and can help you restore your oral health.

Gum Disease

Poor oral hygiene practices, such as skipping your tooth brushing and flossing regimen, can cause bacteria to grow in your mouth. As bacteria grow and thrive, they can cause inflammation of the gums that results in bleeding, redness, and swelling. In fact, bleeding of the gums is one of the first warning signs of gum disease. In its early stages, gum disease can be reversed with early treatment and appropriate home care.

If you ignore the early signs of gum disease, it can develop into periodontitis which is characterized by bone loss and potential tooth loss. While there is no cure for periodontal disease at this time, it can be managed with periodontal therapy, maintenance cleanings at our office, and appropriate home care practices. It is also a good idea for adults with gum disease to undergo periodic screenings and thorough dental exams to detect the presence of the disease, even after treatment.

Medications

Some medications can increase the risk of bleeding gums. If you are taking aspirin, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), birth control pills, blood thinners, or some types of blood pressure medications, you may be at risk for developing bleeding gums. Be sure to tell our team about any medical conditions and medications you are currently taking or have recently taken, especially if your gums are bleeding regularly.

Pregnancy

Increased hormone levels during pregnancy can make the gums bleed easily when flossing, brushing, and even eating. In some cases, the gums might bleed spontaneously. Pregnancy gingivitis often occurs during and right after pregnancy when hormone levels tend to increase. This is why regular dental cleanings and a great home care regimen are even more important during pregnancy. Periodontal disease has been linked to premature delivery and low birth weight babies. 

Traditional Gum Surgery vs. the Gum Surgery Alterative: Understanding the Differences

If your gums start to wear way or pull back from to the roots of your teeth, you may notice your teeth looking longer and becoming more sensitive. Gum recession is one of the symptoms of gum disease but can also be the result of mechanical and functional problems that may need to be addressed. Once the gums have receded, they cannot grow back and without proper treatment, you may end up losing your teeth.

Gum recession occurs very gradually, so many people do not even realize there is a problem until they notice gaps forming between the teeth or when their teeth become very sensitive. If you are concerned about gum recession causes and want to learn more about treatment options, set up a consultation with Associates of Dental Arts as soon as possible.
 

Some of the most common causes of gum recession include:

• Periodontal Disease - An active infection in the mouth can destroy gum tissue and supporting bone structures.

• Genetics - For some people, genetics are to blame for the development of gum disease.

• Tooth Brushing Regimen - Using the wrong brushing technique can wear down your tooth structure and can contribute to gum recession.

• Poor Dental Hygiene - Neglecting to brush and floss your teeth regularly can cause plaque buildup which sets the stage for the development of gum disease.

• Tobacco Product Use - Smoking and chewing tobacco can damage gum tissues and decreases blood supply to the gums. Tobacco use is a secondary cause of periodontal disease.

• Bruxism - If you have a habit of grinding and clenching your teeth, the pressure on the teeth can make your teeth shift and cause gum recession.

• Misalignment - If your teeth are not coming together evenly and your bite is off, you may put more pressure on some parts of the gum and bone tissue which can cause receding gums.

• Body Piercing - Any jewelry in the mouth can irritate the gums and cause gum recession.

After identifying gum recession causes, the team will put together a treatment plan to treat and restore your gums. Procedures may include pocket depth reduction, regeneration, and soft tissue grafts.

Even though brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day can feel like a monotonous task, it is absolutely necessary for preventing gum disease. Many adults with gum disease suffer from bad breath, bleeding gums, and a multitude of other symptoms because of poor oral hygiene. If the early stages of gum disease are left untreated, the gums can become severely infected and may cause tooth loss. An estimated 75 percent of Americans have some form of gum disease, a condition that can not only lead to loose teeth but is also linked to many serious health problems. Associates of Dental Arts can treat adults with gum disease using laser gum surgery in Joplin, MO. First, it may help to understand the three main stages of gum disease.

Stage 1: Gingivitis

This is the earliest stage of gum disease and occurs when plaque builds up around the gum line and causes gum inflammation. If you do not brush and floss your teeth every day, the plaque will build up quickly and trap bacteria around the gum line. The gums will become inflamed and appear very red or swollen. You might notice your gums bleed when you brush and floss your teeth. Fortunately, this stage of gum disease is fairly easy to treat and the effects of gingivitis can still be reversed.
 

Stage 2: Periodontitis

If the early stages of gum disease are left untreated, the condition can develop into periodontitis. The supporting bones and fibers holding your teeth in place have been irreversibly damaged at this stage and you will start to develop spaces or pockets around the teeth. These pockets will trap food, bacteria, and plaque. The gums can start to pull away from the teeth and may even begin to recede. Many people notice small gaps forming between their teeth with this condition. At this stage, adults with gum disease will need immediate treatment.
 

Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis

This is the final stage of periodontitis and occurs when the second stage has been left untreated. When bacteria is allowed to grow and spread, it can destroy the connective tissues and bones supporting the teeth. Any pockets formed in Stage 2 will become deeper and your teeth might start to shift or feel loose. When loose teeth are affecting your bite, you may experience the effects of misalignment and can lose your teeth. More aggressive gum disease treatment is needed at this stage to save the teeth and restore your oral health.
 

Learn more about laser gum surgery in Joplin, MO by setting up your consultation. Associates of Dental Arts use the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®) to treat adults with gum disease and can create a customized treatment plan to help you achieve optimal oral health.

We define periodontal disease as a form of advanced gum disease. If you ignore the early signs of gum disease, such as bad breath or swollen gums, the disease may progress into the advanced stages where hardened tartar around the tooth creates a breeding ground for bacteria and infection.This type of buildup will require special instruments to remove it completely and a laser to eradicate the infection.

We have found that LANAP® is the least painful way to eradicate the infection in the mouth causing gum disease. It is also the easiest and least time consuming gum disease treatment available in the area.

For years, gum surgery has been the only treatment available for moderate to advanced gum disease. Recently, huge strides have been made in the field of laser therapy for treating gum disease. Associates of Dental Arts is trained and skilled in the treatment of gum disease using the PerioLase Laser.

When compared to traditional gum surgery, laser therapy with the PerioLase laser has the following advantages:

• No cutting
• No stitches
• Minimal discomfort
• Treatment is completed faster, within weeks instead of months
• Very little recovery time is necessary
• Safe for most patients, even those on blood-thinning medications

Call our office today to schedule an appointment with our team and find out if laser therapy using the PerioLase laser is right for you.
 

If you are concerned about the health of your gums, and are showing some of the signs and symptoms of gum disease, you need to come to Associates of Dental Arts as soon as possible. Our team can explain options for the treatment of gum disease and create a treatment plan that will help you reach your goals. 

Laser gum surgery offers the benefit of a faster healing time compared with traditional surgery. With LANAP®, there is often no gum recession that occurs once the tissues have healed. In addition, the laser promotes bone regeneration around the teeth which helps to save your healthy teeth.

LANAP®
(Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure)

Basic Steps of LANAP® Protocol

When the early stages of gum disease are left untreated and progress to the stages of advanced periodontitis, the bacteria that multiply in the mouth can destroy connective tissue and bones supporting your teeth. When periodontal pockets form and progressively deepen, your teeth can become loose and you might even end up losing them. Associates of Dental Arts provides an advanced treatment of gum disease with the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®). If gum disease has reached the advanced stages, you will need to seek out aggressive gum disease treatment as soon as possible. 

How LANAP® Works:

Here is a closer look at what you can expect when you go in for undergoing LANAP® treatment for gum disease:

1. Periodontal Pocket Measurement - Our team will use a small ruler to measure the depth of the periodontal pockets and to determine how much gum-to-tooth attachment loss has occurred. 2. Removal of Bacteria - The pulsed laser light from the PerioLase® MVP-7™ will be used to destroy the infection in the mouth and remove bacteria beneath the gum line. Healthy tissue is left untouched, so you will not experience discomfort and can enjoy a fast healing time. 3. Calculus Removal – Tartar (calculus) deposits that have formed under the gum line are removed with an ultrasonic scaler. These deposits cannot be removed with the laser alone, but the laser can help to denature the calculus for easier removal with the ultrasonic scaler. 4. Clotting - The laser is passed over the treated area one more time to remove any remaining bacteria and to stimulate the clotting process. The blood helps to form a sticky seal around the pocket so that new germs cannot enter the area. This creates a sanitary environment and promotes the healing process. 5. Tissue Compression - The tissue recompresses against the root surfaces of the teeth naturally. 6. Bite Adjustment - Our team will adjust your bite and check your teeth to make sure everything is aligned properly and that no extensive trauma has occurred. 

The PerioLase® MVP-7^TM has been cleared by the FDA for gum disease treatment and is backed by human histology and research that shows its efficacy and safety. Our team is trained to provide laser treatment of gum disease and can help to restore your oral health.