Tag: LANAP

Chicago, IL – August 31, 2015 – The condition you may refer to as “gum disease” is also called periodontal disease. The American Dental Association defines periodontal disease as the inflammation of the gums that if severe, can led to the loss of the tissue that hold your teeth in place. Periodontal disease if the number one cause of tooth loss. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, this condition affects eighty-five percent of American adults age 18 and older.

Family Dental Care™ is excited to announce the offering of a safe, effective and comfortable in office treatment for periodontal disease, LANAP or laser assisted new attachment procedure.

LANAP is an FDA-approved full mouth protocol used to treat periodontal disease. Under local anesthesia in the office, a tiny laser fiber is inserted between the tooth and gum to remove diseased tissue. The tooth roots are then thoroughly cleaned of tartar and plaque. A fibrin clot is then created by the laser to seal the pocket. This allows for the regeneration of the tissues destroyed by periodontal disease.

Laser Treatment Near You

Before LANAP, patients with periodontal disease typically underwent scalpel and suture periodontal surgery, an invasive tissue-removing procedure, which causes sensitivity, root exposure, and an increase risk of root caries. In addition, recovery can take weeks.

LANAP does not cut or remove tissue. No sutures are placed. Therefore, the procedure is less painful, less invasive, and a much shorter recovery period. Most importantly, LANAP provides regeneration of lost tooth support which traditional gum surgery cannot.

“By reducing post-operative pain and recovery time, LANAP eliminates many of the reasons that so many patients hesitate to seek treatment for periodontal disease and helps me ensure that they get the best possible dental care,” said Dr. Alexander Alemis, D.D.S., FAGD.

There are many different types of lasers used in dentistry today, and NOT all lasers are created equal. LANAP is a strict protocol with very beneficial outcomes.

All dentists who perform LANAP are required to complete a comprehensive three-day, clinical, hands-on, dentist-to-dentist training at the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD). Additional training sessions at six and twelve months helps dentists hone and refine their techniques. Dr. Nicole Lambert, D.D.S., is a LANAP Gum Treatment Protocol Certified Dentist at the Family Dental Care™, 313 E. River Oaks Drive, Calumet City, IL 60409 – for more information and to schedule your next appointment, call (708) 862-2328.

Periodontal disease treatment is covered by most insurance carriers.

For more information visit: https://www.familydentalcare.com

At first, having orthodontic treatment may take a little getting used to. It isn’t uncommon to experience a bit of soreness when appliances are first put on, or some minor aches as teeth begin moving into new positions. Yet it’s comforting to know that genuine orthodontic emergencies are rare.

If you think you may have an emergency, however, the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: Is it an urgent situation that requires immediate attention, or a minor problem that you can take care of yourself, temporarily, until you can come into the office?

A Major Emergency

There are only a few true orthodontic (or dental) emergencies. They include:

• Trauma or injury to the teeth, face or mouth
• Infection or swelling of the gums, mouth or face
• Severe, unmanageable discomfort or pain in these areas

In any of these situations, you should seek help as soon as possible — go to an emergency room, if that’s your best option. Generally, however, the place to start is at the dental office. If, for example, you have a fractured tooth, that immediate problem requires diagnosis and treatment. Afterwards your orthodontic treatment plan can be adjusted as needed. Likewise, severe pain or swelling could be a sign of infection or disease, which also needs immediate treatment.

Some Minor Troubles

Fortunately, the vast majority of orthodontic problems are minor compared to these situations — but they may still cause discomfort or irritation. In general, it’s best to try and soothe the immediate cause of the discomfort and then call for an appointment. Here are a few of the more common orthodontic problems, along with some tips on what you can do to relieve them at home:

Loose or broken brackets, bands or wires
This problem is often caused by eating hard or sticky candy or food, or playing with the braces. If the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it as is — but don’t connect any elastics to it! You can cover it with orthodontic wax if it’s irritating the inside of your mouth. If it has come off, save it. In either case, call our office to let us know what happened, and we will recommend the next step.

Misplaced or poking archwire, bracket or tie
As the teeth start to move, the wire that connects them (archwire) may begin poking near the back of the mouth or irritating the cheeks. You can try moving the wire into a better position with a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip. If the wire won’t move, you may be able to cut the end off with a nail clipper sterilized in alcohol — but before doing so, please call for guidance or instructions. Often, you can also use tweezers to gently move a misplaced wire or a tie that’s causing problems.

When wires or brackets cause irritation, covering the metal parts with wax will often help ease the discomfort. As with any of these types of problems, it’s best to make an appointment so it can be taken care of.

General tooth pain or loosening
It’s normal for teeth to become slightly loosened during orthodontic treatment — that shows they’re moving! Sometimes, this movement may be accompanied by tenderness, especially after braces are placed or adjusted. For minor soreness, you can use your regular over-the-counter pain reliever. A twice-a-day salt-water rinse may also help: Mix one teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water, and rinse for 30 seconds. A warm washcloth or heating pad placed on the outside of the jaw can also offer some relief.

While actual emergencies are rare, the goal is to make orthodontic treatment as comfortable as possible.