The LANAP protocol is the only laser gum disease treatment FDA cleared for True Regeneration. Simply put, the LANAP protocol can re-grow the tissues and bone lost to gum disease. Fear of periodontal treatment also tends to vanish when patients find out no scalpel or sutures will be used. Further patient benefits are as follows:
Yes! Patients who have received the LANAP protocol will immediately see results. The tissue will appear healthier, more firm, and less swollen. As healing continues, bone and tissues lost to periodontal disease regenerate to improve the prognosis of teeth, and restore function while always maintaining your esthetics.
The LANAP protocol is performed in Dr. Brunetti’s office in 1 or 2 visits. A tiny laser fiber (about the thickness of three human hairs) is inserted between the tooth and the gum, and the infection and disease are cleared away without cutting the gums. The tooth roots are then thoroughly cleaned of tartar and plaque, and the laser is used again to create a stable, firm fibrin blood clot to seal the pocket. The LANAP protocol is designed to remove only the diseased tissue without removing any of the healthy tissue, maintain the height of tissue around the teeth, minimize pain and discomfort, allowing a closed sterile environment to allow the body to heal itself. Patients can have their entire mouth treated in a single visit, or split up into 2 visits.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.
Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. As a periodontist, Dr. Brunetti specializes in precisely these areas. Once we have met for a consultation and conducted a scan using the state-of-the-art cone beam scanner, we will establish where the teeth are to be placed before we surgically place the implants in your mouth. The implants will need to heal and fully integrate with your bone and tissue before we can connect the permanent bridges or dentures. It will usually take between 3-6 months for the adjustment to be complete.
Over 50% of adults in the U.S have some degree of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is caused when bacteria in plaque (a sticky, colorless film that forms in the mouth) builds up between the gums and teeth. When the bacteria begins to grow, the gums surrounding the teeth can become inflamed.
The impact of periodontal disease goes far beyond your mouth. People with gum disease may be at a higher risk of osteoporosis, stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. It is a silent disease, which often, does not present with any pain or symptoms.
Scaling and root planing is a careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins.
Periodontal treatment controls any infections that exists and halts progression of the disease. In more advanced cases, surgery may be required to restore supportive tissues.
Bone grafting is a procedure that replaces, and regenerates lost bone, and can also restore proper facial contour. If teeth have been lost due to trauma, rot and decay, or injury, some bone loss often occurs, and the bone around the jaw will begin to deteriorate. A bone graft creates a more solid base for a dental implant if this is the case.
About Bone Grafting
Bone grafts are derived from one of four possible sources: the patient, another human being, an animal or synthetic material. The source used will depend on whichever the dentist believes will work best in the patient’s situation. Donor tissue from another person or animal is thoroughly disinfected and safe for grafting. These options provide less morbidity to the patient, prevents a second surgical site, and are just as successful
The graft itself acts more as a platform for nearby bone to grow upon; the new bone growth will eventually replace the graft material. During this procedure, collagen membranes (filters), or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used in conjunction with bone grafting to encourage your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.
After this process, it may take several months for the transplanted bone to grow enough new bone to support the actual placement of a dental implant, or regenerate lost bone from periodontal disease.
Being sedated while you have dental work completed may be beneficial to you. Your anxiety will be relieved and you will be less aware or totally unaware of the procedure being carried out making fear a thing of the past.
If the thought of dental treatment fills you with dread, then sedation dentistry is well worth considering. Whether you have a phobia, or something less, by allowing your dentist to sedate you, dental treatment can be carried out quickly and efficiently.
There are different levels of sedation available, and Dr. Brunetti will evaluate you to determine which treatment is suitable for you.
Periodontists are often considered the plastic surgeons of dentistry. If you are looking to improve your smile, a periodontist may be able to help.
Do you feel your teeth look too short and your smile is too gummy or your gums cover too much of some teeth while leaving the others the right length? If so, dental crown lengthening might be the solution for you. During this procedure, excess gum tissue is removed to expose more of the crown of the tooth. Then your gumline is sculpted to give your new smile just the right look.
Crown Lengthening is also completed to prepare for a restorative dental treatment. For example, if you have a broken tooth below the gum line or you require a filling or a crown, you will need more of the tooth to be exposed for successful treatment. Crown lengthening also has the benefit of reducing the risk of tooth decay because more of the tooth is exposed for brushing and flossing.
Tooth loss can cause an indentation in the gums and jawbone where the tooth used to be. This happens because the jawbone recedes when it no longer is holding a tooth in place. Not only is this indention unnatural looking, it also causes the replacement tooth to look too long compared to the adjacent teeth.
Ridge augmentation can fill in this defect recapturing the natural contour of the gums and jaw. A new tooth can then be created that is natural looking, easy to clean and beautiful.
Sometimes the cause of a gummy smile can be related to the excessive movement of your lips, or hypermobility of the lips. Botox is used to help relax muscles and reduce and smooth out wrinkles. By injecting Botox around the lips, the muscle becomes relaxed, resulting in a less “gummy smile”.
Botox can also be used to treat conditions such as TMJ disorders, chronic headaches, and bruxism or grinding of your teeth.
Once you complete the nearby form, we will contact you via your preferred method of communication to confirm the appointment. If we are unable to accommodate your exact request, we will reach out to you to work out a convenient appointment time. We will do our best to meet your timing needs!
We set aside dedicated time in our office for your dental appointment. If you find it necessary to cancel, please provide
24-hour advance notice. Without proper notice, you may be charged a cancellation fee.