GUM DISEASE AWARENESS WITH DR. ROBERT GREGG

February has been designated “Gum Disease Awareness Month” in a national and global effort to raise public awareness of gum disease. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues and bone that support your teeth. The FDA has approved a minimally invasive laser, PerioLase MVP-7, a tiny laser fiber about the thickness of three human hairs, to treat gum disease by regenerating bone and tissue. It eliminates the traditional treatment of periodontal surgery, a highly invasive and often painful procedure. This less invasive technique means minimal post-operative discomfort requiring no opioid level prescriptions and faster recovery/healing time – most patients are able to drive themselves home and return to their regular daily activities immediately following the procedure. The LANAP protocol using the PerioLase MVP-7 was developed by Milllennium Dental Technologies and is the only laser-based gum disease treatment with the proven ability to regenerate all three periodontal tissues: alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and cementum lost to disease. More than 2200 dentists are now offering this preferred treatment to their patients.

Here are a few of the connections that have been suggested between gum disease and other illnesses and conditions.

* Gum disease has been linked to Alzheimer’s, stroke, certain cancers, and diabetes, among other chronic diseases

* 80% of US adults have some form of gum disease and only 3% seek treatment

* Heart Disease – According to the Heart Foundation, heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women in the U.S. Studies also point to a link between gum disease and heart disease. There is also reason to believe that the swelling that hardens arteries in heart disease and the swelling that occurs in the gingival tissue for gum disease may be related.

The awareness program was launched in 2012 by the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry, a non-profit educational and research center dedicated to providing evidence-based clinical training in advanced laser dentistry therapies. The Institutes goal is to continually raise awareness of the prevalence of gum disease and consequences of untreated disease, while encouraging patients to take an active role in better oral health through prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Joining us today is Robert H. Gregg II, DDS – Program Director, The Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry.

Get more information at 877-LANAP4YOU

Related links:  LANAP