Cosmetic Dentistry Gum Care
Serving Santa Rosa and San Francisco, California
High-tech Gum Care
Front-page article in USA TODAY shows studies linking gum disease with heart disease and other life-threatening infections. |
Known as a "silent tooth killer," gum disease affects 80 percent of Americans. Dr. Klim uses fast, effective, and comfortable techniques to remove bacteria and repair damaged gum tissue, often without surgery.
Conquering and preventing gum disease is easier now than ever before. Gum disease has been noted to be the second most prevalent disease next to that of the common cold. Newly published research has also cited a link between gum disease and heart disease.
The question is, with all that is available to prevent gum disease, "Why do approximately 80% of American adults have it?" The answer is that many people do not realize they have gum disease because it doesn't hurt.
Many Americans have the potential to receive preventive care but don't for various reasons of ignorance, lack of convenience, busy-ness, or possibly fear of going to the dentist. The ADA refers to gum disease as the "silent tooth killer." By the time it starts hurting, it is usually too late to stop the damage that has already occurred. The best way to keep tabs on dental conditions is to partake of regular teeth cleaning and exams as recommended by your dentist.
Silent... Small... Deadly. The unhealthy population of bacteria that accumulate under the gum line is where the problem all begins. |
If it is found that you suffer from the silent gum disease, there are new technologies that can help. Oral hygiene products, such as the Sonicare toothbrush and Sonic 3000 Irrigator have been effective for home care. At your hygiene visit, your dentist may recommend the latest conservative gum therapy using the laser.
The laser is used to gently disinfect and evaporate inflamed tissues inside the oversized gum pockets. When the area is cleansed, bacterial activity that causes inflammation and eventual bone loss, is interrupted, giving the tissues a chance to heal. Systematic repeated visits allow the tissues to be disease-free to the point where tissues may even re-attach to the tooth and bring the pocket depth back to a normal to near-normal depth.
Illustration of Gum Disease in the process of progressing down the root under the gums. The ADA has referred to Periodontal Disease as the "silent killer" of teeth. |
Depending on the severity of periodontal disease a series of 2 - 12 sessions of laser therapy may be recommended. Each session revisits the area treated before and treats a new area until the affected areas have been touched and allowed to heal. Where surgery was indicated in just the very recent past, laser therapy is available at a fraction of the cost of surgery, with less pain, quicker recovery, and less scarring.
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High tech Laser: Used to evaporate unhealthy gum tissue and promotes healthly tissue re-growth. |
While surgery may still be indicated for advanced periodontal disease and grafting purposes, intercepting the disease process in the early phases is a much more conservative, effective, and comfortable option.
