Denver Laser Dentistry FAQs

Gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis, is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. If the condition worsens, gums and bone that support the teeth can become seriously damaged and the teeth can become loose.

Red and swollen gums, blood in the sink after brushing, bad breath and sometimes an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Sometimes you may have no symptoms at all! Gum disease is often a silent and painless condition and can go undetected or ignored until severe gum and bone destruction occurs.

One of the most common medical conditions in the US, the American Dental Association conservatively estimates that three out of four adult Americans have some form of gum disease and about 25 million adults suffer from serious periodontal disease, the major cause of tooth loss in adults.

Bacteria and their exotoxins can enter the general systemic circulation and affect heart and vascular health.

Studies show gum disease is a significant risk factor for:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes--diabetic mortality in non gum-diseased adults rises from 3% to almost 28% when gum disease is present.
• Pregnancy complications soar by a factor of 255% for women with gum disease
• Certain cancers of inflammatory origin (colon), kidney disease and other medical conditions related to systemic inflammation

Traditionally, patients diagnosed with moderate to severe gum disease had to undergo scalpel and suture periodontal surgery. During the surgery, gums are cut in order to scrape tartar off the roots, and drills are used to reshape the bone. The gums are repositioned to the tooth with stitches, sometimes along with placement of bone grafts to fill in the defects. Following surgery, gums and exposed roots can be sensitive, painful, and subject to cavities.

LANAP is an amazing breakthrough in periodontal treatment. LANAP is a patient-friendly alternative to gum surgery and is less invasive than scalpel/suture flap surgery.

Instead of using scalpels and sutures, LANAP uses a small laser device that uses glass fiberoptics, the thickness of three human hairs, to gently pass between the gum and the tooth to specifically target and clear away diseased tissue without cutting or stitching the gums. Clinical data shows that the laser further helps the gum to reattach to the tooth by forming a stable, durable blood clot between the gum and the tooth.

A tiny laser fiber is inserted between the tooth and the gum, and the infection is cleared away. The tooth roots are then thoroughly cleaned of tartar and plaque, and the laser is used again with a different setting to create a stable, firm blood clot.

The procedure is fast, usually requiring just two 2-3 hour sessions, and is performed in the dentist’s office under local anesthesia. Dr. Hughes treats one half of the mouth at each session and many patients are able to drive themselves back to work or home following the procedure.

• Less invasive as there is no cutting or stitches
• Much less discomfort during and after the procedure
• Less bleeding and less swelling
• Faster than traditional surgery
• Longer-lasting results: 98% of LANAP treated patients remain stable after 5 years while only 5% reportedly remain stable after traditional surgery
• Quicker recovery time--many patients are able to return to their regular daily activities immediately following the procedure. Following traditional surgery, recovery can take between 2-4 weeks during which patients can experience considerable pain and swelling.
• Laser periodontal therapy is safer for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, hemophilia or those taking medications such as Coumadin or Cyclosporin.

A. Dr. Hughes is one of only 20 highly-trained and certified dentists in Colorado utilizing this LANAP procedure. She has extensive experience treating patients with the LANAP procedure and plenty of rave reviews from patients about her Denver area laser dentistry!

The good news is laser periodontal therapy fees are actually comparable to traditional periodontal surgery-- it does not cost more simply because it's a new technology. There is no special code for this therapy, so if your insurance company will reimburse for conventional surgery, they will reimburse for laser periodontal therapy.

Like any disease condition, insurance companies usually have coverage for disease treatment. Periodontal disease treatment is covered by most insurance companies.

Modern medical health insurance companies are finding it less expensive to pay for periodontal care than to pay for heart attacks, strokes, pregnancy complications, diabetic management or its consequences, and many other problems related to periodontal disease and systemic inflammation.