A Texas periodontist is championing a laser procedure to correct chronic periodontitis, inflammation in the gums as a result of dental plaque.
Chronic periodontitis is a common condition, affecting approximately half of US adults. If untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. Traditional treatment is invasive, expensive and time consuming, requiring the cutting away of sections of the gums to access the area for cleaning and bone regeneration. But Ahmed El-Halaby, DDS, MSD, of Pinnacle Implants & Periodontics prefers a simpler approach known as laser periodontal therapy.
"With the laser, the way it works is you apply the laser to the diseased pockets of the teeth, and the laser can tell the difference between healthy tissue and diseased tissue," said Halaby. This is in contrast to the older "cut-and-suture method," which can actually lead to the removal of healthy tissue, he said.
Halaby sees particular advantages of laser periodontal therapy for people with bleeding disorders. By using laser-based therapy, an individual with a bleeding disorder could forgo the invasive procedures and prolonged bleeding often associated with dental care. Halaby explained that the laser coagulates the blood, further minimizing the risk of bleeding.
Decisions regarding oral surgery or any other medical procedures that may be associated with excessive bleeding should be made in close consultation with the professional staff at your hemophilia treatment center.
Source: News-Journal.com, November 29, 2012
